The Basilica Our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro is an iconic Yamoussoukro sightseeing located in the capital of Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) is one the most popular and largest monument in Yamoussoukro and the world’s largest church. This magnificent piece of architectural masterpiece was constructed between 1985 and 1989 and was inspired by the Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican City. The church has made huge impact on Ivory Coast tourism as it happens to be the most visited tourist attraction in the city is surrounded by green grass lands and cattle grazing can be seen from around the church which provides the scenery of the church with more beauty. Tourists visiting the massive monument can also find a big scenic palm garden and a lake full of pink Waterlily around the church which is all the more reason why it is visited the most.
You should also read The Best Things to See and Do in Cotonou
Facts About Basilica of Our Lady of Peace
- The basilica is known to be supported by 84 pillars and each pillar is 112 feet tall making the structure giant like and powerful.
- A total of 1,100 laborers cleared the 178 acres of coconut Grove and erected the 520 foot-tall structure of the church.
- The church’s musical organ if increased to it’s loudest volume can reach blaring sounds which can possibly lead to permanent hearing loss if care is not taken.
- The only time the thousands of seats within the basilica was ever full was during it’s consecration in September 1990 and ever since then, the church barely has a few hundred of worshippers attending it’s mass. It also receives a few number of tourists who are interested in having a tour of it’s architectural structure, beauty and environment annually.
- The basilica is contains 24 massive stained glass windows which features various biblical scenes colorfully and is also one of the many side attractions to the church.
- In the interiors of the church, a dove sits at the center of the basilica’s dome which is 23 feet wide and adds even more beauty to the church.
- The interior of the basilica is spacious enough to seat 7,000 worshipers altogether while the whole church compound can effortlessly accommodate 200,000 worshipers all at once.
- The compound is spread across 17 acres of land and is laced with marbles imported from Portugal, Spain and Italy respectively.
- Today, the basilica rarely sees a few hundred worshipers and tourists who visit the marvelous architectural structure a few times yearly.
- The basilica is known to be managed by Polish pallottines at a whooping sum of 1.5million dollars annually.
With all this being stated, we hereby urge you all to go out to Yamoussoukro to experience the basilica for yourself and drink in the whole architectural beauty and ambiance of it’s structure.
You should also check out The Best Shopping Malls in Luanda
