Church of St. Francis of Assisi/ चर्च ऑफ़ संत फ्रांसिस ऑफ़ असीसी / Chapel of St. Francis Xavier/ St Francis Xavier's Basilica, UNESCO Monument, Old Goa, Goa.

This visit to the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, Chapel of St. Francis Xavier, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, Old Goa, Goa, was a part of the Goa Heritage walk to the temples and Heritage sites, organised by Aatrupadai, from 5^th December 2025 to 7^th December 2025. Thanks to திருச்சி பார்த்தி for organising the Heritage walk.

Churches & Convents of Goa have been inscribed on the World Heritage List of the Convention concerning the protection of the world's cultural and natural heritage on October 20, 1986. Inscription on this list confirms the exceptional universal value of a cultural or natural site which deserves protection for the benefit of all humanity. This UNESCO monument comprises churches, which includes dilapidated Church of St. Augustine Ruins. The list of Monuments are… 

1. Basilica of Bom Jesus

2. Church of St. Augustine

3. Church of Our Lady of Rosary

4. Chapel of St. Catherine

5. Church of St. Francis of ASSISI

6. SE' Cathedral

7. Chapel of St. Cajetan.

THE CONVENT AND CHURCH OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

Built in 1661 C.E., this church is built of laterite blocks and is lime plastered. The church faces west and has a nave with three chapels on one side, a choir, two altars in the transept and a main altar. To the north of the main altar is a belfry and sacristy. The convent, which forms an annexe to the church, now houses the Archaeological Museum.

The exterior of the church is of the Tuscan order, while the main entrance is in the Manuline style. The main altar is baroque with Corinthian features. The main entrance is decorated with circular pilasters and a rosette band. The central nave is barrel vaulted, while the crossing is rib vaulted, which supports the choir. The internal buttress walls separating the chapels and supporting the gallery on top have frescoes showing intricate floral designs. Above the tabernacle in the main altar is a large statue of St. Francis of ASSISI and Jesus on the cross. On either side of the main altar in the nave are beautiful, large paintings on wood depicting scenes from the life of Christ.

Constructed in 1661 C.E., this church is built of laterite blocks and is lime plastered. The church faces west and has a nave with three chapels on one side, a choir, two altars in the transept and the main altar. A belfry and a sacristy are located to the north of the main altar of the convent, which forms an annexe to the church, and now houses the archaeological museum.

The exterior of the church is of the Tuscan order, while the main entrance is in Manueline style. The main altar is baroque with Corinthian features. The main entrance is decorated with circular pilasters and a rosette band. The central nave is barrel vaulted, while the crossing is rib vaulted, which supports the choir. Internal buttress walls separating the chapels and supporting the gallery on top are adorned with frescoes showing intricate floral designs. Above the tabernacle in the main altar is a large statue of St. Francis of Assisi and Jesus on the cross. On either side of the main altar in the nave, there are beautiful and large paintings on wood depicting scenes from the life of St. Francis of ASSISI.

Superintending Archaeologist

Goa Circle 

Ref:

Archaeological Survey of India display board.

LOCATION OF THE MONUMENT: CLICK HERE

Constructed with laterite stone, and the paint-peeled-off portion of the stone can be seen

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA--