Striped tiles
Red and white walls.
Rachad sanoussi — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Saliousoft — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Rachad sanoussi — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Saliousoft — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bernice gbetie — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Miséricorde is the main Catholic church of Cotonou, Benin's economic capital, near the Old Bridge in the city centre. It is known for its striking architecture clad in burgundy and white striped tiles, and stands about 1.8 km in a straight line from Dantokpa Market. The cathedral is the seat of the Archdiocese of Cotonou, which began in 1883 as the Apostolic Prefecture of Dahomey and was raised to an archdiocese in 1955. The church follows a three-aisled basilica plan, the layout of early church buildings. Its outer walls are covered in ceramic tiles forming alternating red and white bands, its main decoration. The front has a round-arched main portal with four nested arches, flanked by two smaller doors, with a round window above, and a bell tower in the same stripes stands on the north side. A paved courtyard and trees surround it. The cathedral is a working church, so dress modestly and avoid walking around during Mass. The streets around it are busy with motorbikes, so take care crossing.
Red and white walls.
In matching stripes.
Four nested arches.
Near the Old Bridge, central Cotonou, Benin
Its walls are clad in alternating red and white tiles.
Dantokpa Market, about 1.8 km away.
