The Atantano Shrine in the village of Piti was built over the course of more than a century (spanning both the American and Spanish colonial eras) in three pieces, commemorating the building of roads (1784-1785) (1908-1909) and establishing of rice fields (1832-1834) in the area.

On the shrine you will find a dedication for each piece. The first and oldest piece commemorates the work of a Spanish Governor who had a road built from Piti to Hagåtña during his term. The inscription (translated into English) is as follows:

“The Governor Don Felipe Cerain, R.I.P., had this difficult road constructed in 1784 and 1785, planted the coconut trees of the community, and brought innumerable benefits to these islands. Pray to God for his soul.”

The second piece is also for a Spanish Governor who had the first rice fields developed in the Piti area during his term. The inscription (translated into English) is as follows:

“The Governor Don Francisco Villabos, the Commissioners Don Antonio Guerrero, Don Juan de Rivera, and Don Lucas de Castro, and all district leaders of Agana, with the help of their fellow citizens succeeded from 1832 to 1834 in establishing the first rice fields in this fertile meadow. They gratefully entreat the protection of the Virgin Mother of God, and in honor of the Sovereign Queen the wish to make its name Swamp of the Immaculate Virgin.”

The third and most recent piece was erected during the pre-World War II American colonial period, and commemorated the rebuilding of the Piti-Hagåtña road. The inscription is as follows:

“PITI-AGAT ROAD REBUILT 1908 1909
CAPT. E.J. DORN USN GOVERNOR
IN CHARGE OF WORK
LT. COMDR. E.L. BISSET USN 08
ACE R.M. WARFIELD USN 09”