Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, a marble giant in Yamoussoukro
Published on 08/14/2026 at 14:24 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro is a vast Roman Catholic church whose marble dome and colonnades dominate the flat landscape of central Ivory Coast. Built in the late 1980s and consecrated in 1990, it adapts the outline of St Peter’s Basilica in Rome to an African setting with a monumental footprint and a dome that rises high above the surrounding city.
An immense basilica on the edge of Yamoussoukro
The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace stands in Yamoussoukro, the political capital of Ivory Coast, on an open estate at the edge of the urban fabric.Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire The building forms the centrepiece of a domain that extends across more than one hundred hectares, with broad paved approaches and lawns that emphasise its isolated position.surface totale du domaine
The basilica itself takes a cruciform plan with a tall central dome, flanked by lower ranges and framed by long colonnades that enclose a marble forecourt. Its dome, topped by a cross, reaches well over 150 m (492 ft), making the church one of the tallest Christian buildings constructed in the twentieth century.hauteur du dĂ´me From the perimeter roads and nearby districts the dome appears as a single rounded mass rising above trees and low-rise housing.
Marble, glass and neo-Renaissance forms
The architecture of the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace is described as neo-Renaissance and neo-Baroque, echoing the language of St Peter’s while introducing distinctive African touches.style dominant The primary structure is clad in pale Italian marble, which gives the exterior a uniform, light colour and a smooth surface that contrasts with the deep blue and red tones of the stained glass.marbre italien
Inside, the basilica is lined with French-made stained glass and glass mosaics covering thousands of square metres, depicting biblical scenes, Marian imagery and scenes related to Ivory Coast.Glasmosaikfenster Slender columns in classical orders support galleries and arcades, while polished African hardwoods appear in doors, furnishings and liturgical fittings.bois précieux africains The combination of imported marble and glass with local timber materials gives the interior a layered character that reflects its international and Ivorian context.
A late twentieth-century project of extraordinary scale
Construction of the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace began in 1986 and was completed in 1989, with consecration following in 1990 by Pope John Paul II.Début de la constructionconsecrated by Pope John Paul II The architect, Pierre Fakhoury, an Ivorian-Lebanese designer born in 1943, adapted the proportions and outline of St Peter’s Basilica while enlarging the dome and setting the church within a vast paved esplanade.Architekt Pierre Fakhoury
The basilica was conceived with a capacity for thousands of worshippers within the nave and side areas, and very large crowds on the surrounding esplanade.capacity to hold 18,000 worshippers Its overall floor area reaches tens of thousands of square metres, placing it among the largest church buildings constructed in the Christian world.Surface totale For travellers, the contrast between the basilica’s scale and the more modest urban fabric of Yamoussoukro is one of the most striking visual experiences the city offers.
Visiting Basilica of Our Lady of Peace: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- The basilica stands on the outskirts of Yamoussoukro in central Ivory Coast and is reached primarily by road from other Ivorian cities and regional airports.
- The estate around the church is extensive and largely level, with broad paved approaches and staircases leading to the main entrance, so a visit involves walking across large open spaces.
- The interior volume is very tall, with galleries and upper walkways reached by stairs and lifts, and visitors who explore the upper levels need to be prepared for height and long internal perspectives.
- The official language is French and the currency is the West African CFA franc.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
Searching for Basilica of Our Lady of Peace on social platforms
These links open searches for Basilica of Our Lady of Peace on each platform.
Frequently asked questions about Basilica of Our Lady of Peace
Where is the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace located?
The basilica is in Yamoussoukro, the political capital of Ivory Coast, on an extensive estate at the city’s edge.
What can visitors expect inside the basilica?
Visitors encounter a very high domed interior lined with stained glass and marble, classical columns, and large open volumes designed for major liturgical gatherings.
What makes the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace distinctive?
Its combination of a vast neo-Renaissance dome, extensive marble surfaces and a late twentieth-century construction date in central Ivory Coast gives it a scale unusual among church buildings.
