About Church of St. Francis of Assisi
The Church of St. Francis of Assisi is a 17th-century heritage church located in Old Goa, Goa. Originally established as a chapel by Franciscan friars in 1517 and rebuilt in 1661, it features a unique blend of Manueline, Tuscan, and Baroque architectural styles. The site is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Churches and Convents of Goa'. The adjoining convent now houses an Archaeological Survey of India museum displaying pre-Portuguese sculptures and colonial portraits.
Visitors guide
Visitors can explore a historic church featuring a three-tiered facade with octagonal towers and a rare Portuguese-Manueline portal. The interior displays lavish Baroque and Corinthian decorations, including frescoes with floral designs, wooden paintings depicting the life of St. Francis of Assisi, and a gilded main altar with statues of saints. The adjacent convent serves as an archaeological museum exhibiting ancient sculptures, icons, and portraits of viceroys. The complex offers insight into Indo-Portuguese architecture and colonial history.
Key highlights
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UNESCO World Heritage Site component featuring Manueline, Gothic, and Baroque architectural elements
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Rare surviving Portuguese-Manueline portal integrated into a Tuscan-style facade
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Lavish Baroque interior with floral frescoes and biblical paintings on wood
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Gilded main altar dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi with intricate carvings
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Adjoining convent housing ASI Archaeological Museum with pre-Portuguese artifacts
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Statue of Our Lady of Miracles brought from Jaffna, Sri Lanka
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Intricately carved tombstones set into the church floor
History of Church of St. Francis of Assisi
Established by eight Portuguese Franciscan friars in 1517, the original chapel was built in 1521 and consecrated as a church in 1602. The current structure was rebuilt in 1661 after the earlier building fell into decay. It stands on the site of a demolished Adil Shahi mosque. The church was closed in 1853 due to maintenance costs and reopened in 1964 when the Archaeological Survey of India took over the convent for use as a museum. It represents early European ecclesiastical architecture in India and the spread of Catholic missions in Asia.
Culture & Context
As part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Churches and Convents of Goa', the church illustrates the evangelization of Asia and the diffusion of Manueline, Mannerist, and Baroque art forms across Asian mission territories. It embodies the Indo-Portuguese architectural fusion that developed during 450 years of Portuguese rule. The site continues to serve as a cultural landmark showcasing Goa's colonial heritage and religious history.