ST. ESTEVAM ISLAND / JUVEM ISLAND / JUA ISLAND
Miscellaneous
Distance (From Kadamba Bus Terminus): 23 Kms
Commonly Visited From: Shri Laxmi Ravalnath Devasthan, Marcel (5.2 kms)
Trip Duration (From Shri Laxmi Ravalnath Devasthan, Marcel , Including Travel): 1 Hour
Place Location: East Of Divar Island
Transportation Options: Cab / Auto / Rental Bike
Travel Tips: This place is usually visited from Shri Laxmi Ravalnath Devasthan, Marcel (5.2 kms)
At a distance of 23 km from Panjim Kadamba Bus Stand, 40 km from Vasco Da Gama Railway Station and 36 km from Mapusa, St. Estevam Island is situated in North Goa.
St Estevam is an Island in Tiswadi, Goa. It is encircled by the Mandovi River on all sides and was connected to the mainland by the bridge only in the mid 1980s. Also known as Juvem and in the past it was known as Shakecho Juvo - the isle of vegetables. Santo Estevao is most famous for its premium seven-ridged, light-green and long lady finger or okra. That's why many people refer to villagers as 'bhendde'.
Juvem is the fourth largest island in Goa. This Island originally consisted of three small islets Jua, Tolto and Vantso with a canal connecting them. These small islets have been joined together into one island that is Santo Estevam. Juvem is rich in historical heritage and natural beauty. There is a fort situated here on a hillock which was built in September 1668. It was named as the fort of St Francis Xavier and is also known as the fort of Jua. From the village, the fort of Jua can be approached by means of a fairly terrific flight of rough steps. The climb is well worth the effort and at the top is a modern but impressive shrine to Christ the king. It has a special incident related to it where a sailor used to pray here regularly at the shrine before rejoining his ship as he was deeply attached to Goa and loved to view it regularly from this fort.
The island was converted to Christianity at the end of the 16th century by the sacred spirit of the Jesuits, who built the first church in Santo Estevam in the year 1575. The Church of Santo Estevam is the big Church of all churches built in 1575 by the Jesuits. In 1683 the Church had been burned when the Island Martha King Sambhaji. The Church was rebuilt in 1759. It is special due to its exterior portion resembling a false dome surrounded by twin towers with lanterns. The villagers celebrate the feast of St Stephen on 26th December with great pomp.
One of Santo Estevao's most well-known customs still largely followed today is to look for soul-mates in the village itself. For centuries it has been a way of life for the islanders to marry within the village.
