This Island has a beautiful history.
First it was a hop, skip and jump on stones from Goa to the Island. Now,
there is a beautiful bridge known as the Silver Gate, that has been built from
Goa to the Island.
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| View of the bridge from the Island. (Left) |
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| View from the bridge. |
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| View of the bridge from the Island. (Right) |
In
the year 1927 a vow was made by the inhabitants of the Island who purchased the
place not to sell or lease it out to any projects. Therefore, the Island still
has its natural charm.
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| Saint Jacinto Island. |
The
Chapel ‘Ilha de Secretariato’ was on this Island in 1731. It was rebuilt in
1789 and later on in 1830. The chapel was elevated to a parish church in 1835.
Local citizens call this church ‘Saint Hyacinthi Cathedral Church’. It was
founded by the Dominican Fathers. The St. Hyacinthi Cathedral Church celebrates
its feast on the last Sunday of September, every year. This year, it is on 25th
September. The new Parichial House was built by the Parish Priest, Fr.
Comiterio Mascarenhas and blessed by Rev. Fr. Antonio Couto, the Parish Priest
and Dean of Mormugao Deanary, on 14th May 1989. It was renovated
with new floor tiles for all the entrance and exit.
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| Saint Hyacinthi Cathedral Church. |
The chapel dedicated to Saint Dominic, is on the top of the hill of Saint Jacinto Island. In the chapel there is a tunnel which leads through the
underwater and emerges near the ‘Jesus Nazareth Chapel Siridao’.
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| Saint Dominic Chapel. |
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| Underground tunnel. |
In the middle of the Island there is an old spring used by the local
people for drinking water.
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| Local spring. |
