The Church of St. Francis of Assisi, together with a convent, situated in the main square of Old Goa is stated as a world heritage site by UNESCO. The origin and the history of this Roman Catholic church and the convent go back to the time when eight Franciscan friars arrived in 1517 and managed to secure a few houses from the Governor and eventually converted those houses into a small chapel with three altars and a choir.

But the church that we see today, was built in 1661 and the construction of 1521 was demolished. The entrance of the earlier church was the only thing that was retained. The convent connected to the church now houses a museum which was set up by the Archaeological Survey of India in 1964. One can see all artifacts, paintings, and sculptures that relating to Goa’s rich and vibrant history.

The church is located at approximately 10 kilometers east of Panaji in Goa, and is very popular among tourists.