Several photographs of the church of St Francis of Assisi at Old Goa, which has been illuminated in the colours of the national tricolor since August 1 have been appearing in social media. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has illuminated the church as part of the Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav. The 17th century church of St Francis of Assisi happens to be one of the hundred monuments in the country that have been illuminated in the colours of the national flag and is the only monument to be selected from Goa. Indeed a proud moment for every Goan and the Catholic community. One of the most famous historical places of Goa, the church and convent of St Francis of Assisi attracts a large number of tourists from across the globe. The church together with a convent was established by eight Portuguese Franciscan friars who landed in Goa in 1517. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site. In the year 1529, it was reconstructed and was converted into a church. In 1964 the archaeological department converted the convent into a museum.
