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Goa's Church of St. Francis of Assisi - Within the compound of the Collegio de Sao Paulo.

west of Se Cathedral, the well-maintained building that dazzles the eye is the Church of St. Francis of Assisi of Goa.

The construction of this church dates back to 1520 or even before. The Church of St. Francis of Assisi of Goa is considered to the best preserved churches in Goa.

The church was remodeled in 1663 and reconstructed a second time in 1884.

Church of St. Francis of Assisi of Goa is a brilliant mix of Baroque, Corinthian, Iberian and Manueline architectural features and is one of its kind in Goa.

It is made up of lime plastered laterite and its façade is flanked with octagonal towers on either side.

The statue of Our Lady of Miracles brought from Jaffna in Sri Lanka graces a niche in the façade.

The interior of the Church is Baroque with distinct Corinthian elements. The inner walls are embellished with exquisitely done floral frescoes. The wooden pulpit is similarly adorned.

The church contains a bell tower and a sacristy towards the north of the chief altar dedicated to St. Francis. On the altar stands the statue of Christ on the Cross.

Underneath are mentioned the three vows of sainthood - poverty, humility and obedience.

Wooden panels depicting scenes from the life of St. Francis add to the ornamentations round the altar.

Beneath the main altar is a tabernacle supported by four

evangelists. This tabernacle was initially used to exhibit the holy sacrament.

The roof of the church was removed in 1850. The present roof was built in recent times.

In Old Goa, built in 1685, right next to St Augustine, the church is dedicated to Our Lady of Good Success.

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