Church of St Francis of Assisi – Old Goa
The Church of St Francis of Assisi in Old Goa is one of India’s most frequented monuments. It is about eight km from Panaji, and this west-facing church stands within the premises of the Se Cathedral. To remind you about the life of St Francis of Assisi are paintings depicting events from his life. Stories from the Bible, too, are painted inside the church.
Take a closer look at the structure and you’ll see that a variety of building styles have been incorporated into its architecture. The exteriors were built in Tuscan style while the altar stands in Corinthian glory. The entrance of the church was built in Manuline style. Floral designs, carved pillars and painted insides speak volumes of its décor.
Eight Fransiscan friars built a church dedicated to the Holy Ghost in 1521, on land given by the local authorities then. It was demolished in 1661 and the current church built in the same place. The convent nearby, which was closed down during Portuguese rule now houses an archeological museum. It contains paintings, sculpture and murals from Goan Hindu Temples. You can also find paintings of Goan governors of the pre-Portuguese era and the life-size statue of Portuguese poet Luiz Vaz de Camoes.
You’ll find two statues of St Francis and one each of Jesus on the Cross and St Michael in the church compound. An interesting sight is the statue of Our Lady of Miracles brought here from Jaffna in Srilanka. This lime and laterite church is a must-visit for those touring Goa.
