Archaeological Museum of Goa

The Archaeological Museum of Goa is located within the historic Convent of St. Francis of Assisi in Old Goa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Managed by the Archaeological Survey of India, it houses artifacts spanning Goa's pre-Portuguese and colonial periods, including sculptures, inscriptions, coins, and religious art. The museum provides insight into the region's layered history through archaeological finds from ancient temples, churches, and settlements across Goa.

Visitors can explore galleries displaying stone sculptures, bronze icons, terracotta objects, epigraphs, numismatic collections, and Portuguese-era artifacts housed in restored convent architecture. Exhibits cover Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, and Christian heritage of Goa. The building itself features Manueline-style doorways and cloisters. Interpretive signage explains artifact contexts. Photography is generally permitted without flash. The site is part of the larger Old Goa heritage complex with adjacent historic churches.

Established in 1964 by the Archaeological Survey of India within the former Franciscan convent built in 1517 and rebuilt in 1661. The collection documents Goa's transition from early medieval Hindu kingdoms through Islamic rule to Portuguese colonization, preserving material culture from excavations at sites like Chandor, Navelim, and Pilar.

Represents Goa's syncretic heritage by showcasing artifacts from multiple religious traditions coexisting in the region. Serves as primary repository for Goan archaeological heritage and supports academic research on Deccan and Konkan cultural history.