Church of St. Francis of Assisi, Baroque church in Old Goa, India
The Church of St. Francis of Assisi is a Baroque structure in Old Goa featuring octagonal towers on its facade and a central niche housing a statue of St. Michael. The interior is organized with rib-vaulted crossings and a barrel-vaulted central nave.
Portuguese Franciscan friars built the original chapel in 1517, which was modified multiple times over the following decades until the current structure was completed in 1661. These transformations reflect the changing architectural preferences and religious evolution of the colonial period.
The interior walls display painted panels showing scenes from St. Francis's life, while gilded ornaments and statues of the four Evangelists decorate the space. These visual elements tell stories that visitors discover while walking through the church.
The church sits approximately 10 kilometers east of Panaji and is easily accessible from the main road. An adjacent convent functions as an archaeological museum that complements your visit.
The facade blends Tuscan and Baroque styles, reflecting the particular influences of Portuguese colonial architecture in the region. This fusion of European traditions with local context makes this structure a rare example of its kind.
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