The silver dome
Seen from afar.
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The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace is a vast Catholic church in Yamoussoukro, the administrative capital of Côte d'Ivoire. Guinness World Records lists it as the largest church in the world by area, at about 30,000 square metres, and it rises 158 metres. Its dome stands out far across the green plain around the city, and it is the country's best-known landmark. It was built between 1985 and 1989 on the order of President Félix Houphouët-Boigny, who was born in Yamoussoukro. The Lebanese architect Pierre Fakhoury drew on St Peter's in the Vatican, making the dome slightly lower but topping it with a larger cross. Pope John Paul II consecrated it on 10 September 1990, and estimates of its cost vary widely. You see a broad silver dome above a sand-coloured building, and a great round plaza ringed by tall columns in two curving rows, each ending in a small dome. Lawns and paths laid in geometric shapes spread before it. From the top of the colonnade you see the green plain and the edge of the city. The church holds about 18,000 people. The crocodile lake is about 2.5 km away in a straight line, and Abidjan about 216 km. Dress modestly and respect Mass times. Guided visits are usually run for visitors, so ask at the gate about times and photo rules.
Seen from afar.
Around the round plaza.
From the colonnade.
West Yamoussoukro, Côte d'Ivoire
Larger in area by Guinness, though it holds fewer worshippers.
Yes, usually on guided visits, so ask at the gate.