Basilica of Our Lady of Peace and its vast domed form

In Yamoussoukro, the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace combines a vast dome, long colonnades and coloured glass. Its scale begins outside.

Basilica of Our Lady of Peace rises in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, as a vast domed church framed by long colonnades. Completed in 1989 and consecrated in 1990, it brings marble, concrete, classical columns and stained glass into one monumental composition.

A dome above Yamoussoukro

The basilica’s most visible feature is its central dome, set above a church whose plan recalls a Latin cross. The building reaches 158 m (518 ft), including the cross above the dome, while the main dome rises to about 149 m (489 ft). the basilica’s dome

Its architectural language draws on St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, with a domed centre, a broad forecourt and surrounding rows of columns. The reference is clear, but the Yamoussoukro building has its own scale, materials and relationship with the flat landscape of central Côte d’Ivoire.

The exterior colonnades contain 272 Doric columns made from cement. Some rise to 31 m (101 ft), creating a repeated vertical rhythm around the church and across the open esplanade. the 272 Doric columns

Félix Houphouët-Boigny and Pierre Fakhoury

The basilica is closely associated with Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Côte d’Ivoire’s first president after independence from France in 1960. Yamoussoukro was his birthplace and became the country’s political and administrative capital.

Architect Pierre Fakhoury designed the church in the 1980s. Construction began in 1985 and reached completion in 1989, placing the building among the major religious structures of the late twentieth century. Pope John Paul II consecrated it on 10 September 1990.

The building covers about 30,000 m² (322,917 sq ft). Italian marble forms much of the visible cladding, while the monumental roof, drum and lantern gather around the central worship space. the 1985–1989 construction

Marble, stained glass and a functioning church

Inside, the scale shifts from the long exterior approaches to a high, richly finished interior. Marble surfaces line architectural elements, and large stained-glass panels occupy the walls around the nave and sanctuary.

The glass was produced in France and arranged across thousands of square metres. Religious imagery appears within the panels, alongside colours that contrast with the pale marble and the concrete structure. the extensive stained glass

Basilica of Our Lady of Peace is a Roman Catholic minor basilica dedicated to Our Lady of Peace. It remains a place of worship, with the church, forecourt and colonnades forming a single ceremonial complex.

The basilica also carries a wider religious and civic presence in Yamoussoukro. Its name connects the building with peace, while its design places classical European references, Ivorian political history and Catholic devotion within one West African capital.

Visiting Basilica of Our Lady of Peace: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• Basilica of Our Lady of Peace stands on Rue de St. France in Yamoussoukro. Local taxis and shared taxis serve the city, while road travellers follow routes into the capital.
• The approach crosses a broad complex of paved esplanades and colonnades. The interior contains extensive steps, high galleries and large open spaces beneath the dome.
• 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.

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Frequently asked questions about Basilica of Our Lady of Peace

Where is Basilica of Our Lady of Peace?

The basilica is in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, on Rue de St. France. Yamoussoukro is the country’s political and administrative capital.

What can visitors expect from the building?

The complex combines a domed church, marble surfaces, stained glass, a large forecourt and long exterior colonnades. Its interior contains a high central worship space.

What makes the basilica distinctive?

Its 158 m (518 ft) height, vast dome and 272 Doric columns define the exterior. Pierre Fakhoury’s design also connects the church with St Peter’s Basilica in Rome.