St. Francis of Assisi Church in Goa | Tourist Attraction in Goa

Goa is famous for its historic churches, forts, traditional homes, colorful festivals, lush green countryside, rich flora and fauna, fabulous cuisine, and exotic beaches. The magical land of Goa is decked with popular tourist destinations like Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Tambdi Surla and Tiracol Fort, the Calangute Beach, the Baga Beach , etc. The Churches in Goa, as well, are a big crowd puller among the tourists from world over.

Churches in Goa

If you want a bit of history and culture then there is no better place to visit than the churches of Goa. The magnificent churches in Goa are mainly a legacy of Portuguese colonization, and in fact one of Vasco da Gama 's main motives for finding the sea route to India was to seek Christians and spices . With a considerable population of Goans being Christians, the Church is an important factor in Goa's social, cultural and religious life. Some of the major churches in Goa are the Basilica of Bom Jesu, St. Cajetan Church, Se Cathedral and the Church of St. Francis of Assisi.

Church of St. Francis of Assisi

Way back in 1517 eight Franciscan friars arrived in India, secured a few houses from the then Governor, and later constructed a small chapel with three altars and a choir. Consecrated to the Holy Ghost , Church of St. Francis of Assisi was built in 1521 but later pulled down and the present church was built on the same spot in 1661 retaining only the entrance of the original church.

Located in Old Goa, Panjim, in Goa, this beautifully whitewashed church stands to the west of the Se Cathedral church, and today houses part of the Archaeological Museum . It displays prehistoric items from a distant tribal past as also remnants of Goa Dourada, Golden Goa . The church, built of laterite blocks and being lime-plastered, has a nave with three chapels on either side, a choir, two altars in the transept and a main altar. To the north of the main altar are a belfry and a sacristy. On either side of the main altar are gorgeous large paintings on wood, depicting scenes from the life of St. Francis of Assisi.