The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro

Yamusukro · Ivory Coast · The world's largest church

The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace of Yamusukro, consecrated by Pope John Paul II on September 10, 1990, is the largest church in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records. Built on the initiative of President Félix Houphouët-Boigny, it is a unique monument that combines political ambition with Marian devotion.

The dream of Houphouët-Boigny

Félix Houphouët-Boigny, President of Côte d'Ivoire from independence in 1960 to his death in 1993, decided to build the world's largest basilica in Yamusukro, his hometown, which he had chosen as the country's new administrative capital in 1983. Construction began on 10 August 1985 and was completed in 1989.

The chosen architect was the Lebanese Pierre Fakhoury, who designed a basilica inspired by that of St. Peter of the Vatican but with significant differences: the dome, 90 meters in diameter (more than double that of St. Peter), reaches 158 meters in height, crowned by a larger cross than that of the Vatican. The total cost is estimated at between $175 and $600 million, which generated a huge international dispute as Côte d'Ivoire faced economic difficulties.

Architecture and materials

The basilica is built with marble imported from Italy and furnished with 8,400 square meters of contemporary glass made by the French company France Vitrail International, near Paris. The 18,500 glass panels represent biblical scenes, African saints and - generating controversy - the Houphouët-Boigny himself kneeling with Jesus at his triumphal entrance to Jerusalem.

The interior columns are abundant but not uniform in style: the smaller ones are structural, the larger ones are decorative and contain elevators, rain water ducts and other mechanical elements. The ship has capacity for 7,000 people sitting and 11,000 standing.

The condition of John Paul II

Pope John Paul II agreed to consecrate the basilica, but put one condition: that a hospital be built nearby. This hospital, whose construction was frozen during the First Civil War of Côte d'Ivoire (2002- 2007), was finally completed in 2014 and opened in January 2015, at a cost of 21.3 million euros.

The Basilica today

The basilica is administered by the Polish Palotine Fathers at a cost of $1.5 million per year. Although it was criticized as a megalomaniac whim, it has over time acquired a real role in the religious life of Côte d'Ivoire. The days of greatest influx - Christmas, Easter, August 15 - the basilica is filled with pilgrims from all over the country and the region.