The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace (French: Basilique Notre-Dame de la Paix) is a Catholic minor basilica dedicated to Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro, the administrative capital of Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast).
The basilica was constructed between 1985 and 1989 with different cost estimates given by various groups.
Guinness World Records lists it as the largest church in the world, having surpassed the previous record-holder, St. Peter’s Basilica, upon completion. It has an area of 30,000 square meters (320,000 sq ft) and is 158 meters (518 ft) high.
Some stated that it cost US$175 million, US$300 million, or US$400 million, ranking as high as US$600 million. The designs of the dome and encircled plaza are clearly inspired by the Basilica of Saint Peter in Vatican City, although it is not an outright replica.
The basilica is not to be confused with a cathedral. Our Lady of Peace is located in the Diocese of Yamoussoukro; the Cathedral of Saint Augustine — less than 3 km (1.9 mi) away — is smaller in size than the basilica but the principal place of worship and seat of the bishop of the diocese.
The building was constructed from imported Italian marble and contains twenty-four stained glass windows, including one with the likeness of President Houphouët-Boigny alongside Jesus and his Apostles.
West African Iroko wood was used for the 7,000 pews. Two identical villas sit in front of the structure. One house clergymen who operate the basilica and the other is reserved for papal visits. The basilica’s circular colonnade is made up of 272 Doric columns.
However, it also includes a rectory and a villa (counted in the overall area), which are not strictly part of the church.
It can accommodate 18,000 worshippers, compared to 60,000 for St. Peter’s. Ordinary services conducted at the basilica are usually attended by only a few hundred people. Regular services are usually only attended by a few hundred people.
The only time the basilica was filled to capacity was on February 7, 1994, for President Houphouët-Boigny’s funeral. Only 17 percent of Ivorians identify as Catholic, while Islam remains the major religion of the nation. The basilica is administered by Polish Pallottines at a cost of US$1.5 million annually.
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