Church Of St. Francis Of Assisi, Old Goa :

       One of the most interesting buildings in old goa, this Church is a perfect example of fancy ancient workmanship.

It is located behind the Se Cathedral. Originally, a small chapel was build at this site on the arrival of eight Franciscan friars in 1517. In 1521, this chapel was replaced by a beautiful church dedicated to St. Francis, but it fell into disrepair. It was completely rebuilt in 1661, the beautiful doorways of the older structure were retained.

The Portuguese - Gothic style church has two octagonal towers. The interiors are magnificent and the wall and ceiling are gilded and covered with intricately carved wood panels. The reredos has excellent murals around the High Altar, depicting scenes from the life of St. Francis. There are four statues of the four humble apostles at the lower part of the reredos and above the reredos is the statue of the divine Jesus Christ on the Cross.

Like several other churches of Old Goa sculpted tombstones of the Portuguese gentry pave the floor of the nave. There is also a font for baptisation, just behind the door and is partly made of an old pillar from Hindu temple.


Archaeological Museum and portrait gallery

It is housed in the convent behind the church of St. Francis of Assisi. The building has two floors, the lower floor is the Archaeological Museum, which displays sculptures from the Hindu temple sites in Goa and stone Vetal images from the animist cult, which flourished in this part of the world. There are also two huge bronze statues, one of Luis Vaz de Camoes (a famous Portuguese poet), which originally stood between the Se Cathedral and Basilica of Bom Jesus. Another statue is that of Afonso de Albuquerque, which was originally erected at Miramar.

The portrait Gallery occupies the upper floor of the building. Here several paintings and portraits of the Portuguese viceroy's to India are neatly exhibited.


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