Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast
Basilica of Our Lady of Peace
The largest church in the world by area, built in the political capital of Ivory Coast in the late 1980s and modeled on St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro is one of the most extraordinary and controversial churches ever built. Completed in 1990 at the direction of President Felix Houphouet-Boigny, it covers a larger area than St. Peter's Basilica and can accommodate 18,000 people, with standing room for many more. The dome rises 158 meters and is crowned with a cross. The interior is vast, with 7,400 square meters of stained glass imported from France, air conditioning to handle the West African heat, and acres of Italian marble. Critics called it a vanity project in a poor country. Supporters saw it as an act of faith. Whatever your view, the scale is staggering. The basilica sits in Yamoussoukro's low-rise landscape, surrounded by empty boulevards, looking like something from another planet.
Diocese: Diocese of Yamoussoukro
Style: Neoclassical (modeled on St. Peter's Basilica)
What to See
The scale is the experience. The stained glass is genuinely impressive — look for the depiction of Houphouet-Boigny among the figures, which caused controversy. The dome, viewed from outside, dominates the flat landscape for miles. The emptiness around the basilica adds to the surreal atmosphere.
Pilgrim Notes
Yamoussoukro is the political capital but not the commercial center — Abidjan is where most visitors arrive. The basilica is open to visitors and Mass is offered regularly. Bring water and sun protection. The climate is hot year-round.