Basilica of Our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast, Africa

Basilica of Our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro is a Roman Catholic Basilica modeled after Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City and is regarded the largest Christian church on the world. The basilica was constructed on decision of Côte d'Ivoire President Félix Houphouët-Boigny between 1985 and 1989 at a cost of US$300 million. The cornerstone was laid in 1985 and was consecrated by Pope John Paul II in 1990.

The largest Christian church in the world has a greater surface and a higher dome than Saint Peter's Basilica in Vatican. It is 158 meters (518 feet) high and can receive 7,000 people and additional 11,000 people in a standing room. The basilica is constructed from marble imported from Italy and furnished with 7,000 square meters of contemporary stained glass from France. The expenses for the basilica doubled the national debt of Côte d'Ivoire and caused a lot of criticism throughout the world.

St Stephen's Basilica, Budapest, Hungary

St Stephen's Basilica is a Roman Catholic Basilica located in the center of Budapest, Hungary. The basilica is dedicated to St Stephen, the first King of Hungary (c. 975–1038).

Picture of St Stephen's Basilica, Budapest, Hungary
The construction of St Stephen's Basilica began in 1851 after the design of architect Jozsef Hild. His successor Miklos Ybl modified the Classical design and continued the building in Neo-Renaissance style. The construction works were interrupted after the collapse of the dome and Ybl's death and the St Stephen's Basilica was completed under a third architect, Jozsef Krausz in 1905.


The interior of St Stephens Basilica was decorated by many celebrated Hungarian artists and sculptors but the biggest treasure of the Basilica is the mummified right hand of St Stephen located in the Chapel of the Holy Right. St Stephens Basilica was damaged during the bombing in World War II and the reconstruction that began in 1980 was completed in 2003.

St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City

St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City is one of the most famous Roman Catholic buildings located in Vatican City, an enclave of Rome. One of the most popular pilgrim destinations is believed to be built on the same spot where Saint Peter, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, the first Bishop of Antioch and the first Bishop of Rome was crucified.

Picture of St Peter's Basilica from the River Tiber

The construction of St Peter's Basilica was ordered by Roman Emperor Constantine the Great in 323. Construction of present monumental basilica began in 1506 under Pope Julius II and was completed in 1626 under Pope Paul V. Many famous and prominent artists were hired: Donato Bramante, Michelangelo, Bernini, Arnolfo di Cambio, Giacomo della Porta, Domenico Fontana, Cornacchini and many others.

Picture of St Peter's Square
East from St Peter's Basilica is St Peter's Square designed by Gianlorenzo Bernini and built between 1656 and 1667. Bernini also designed the elliptical colonnade which surrounds the St Peter's Square. On the top of the colonnade are 140 statues of saints created by numerous artists between 1662 and 1703. In the center of the colonnade is a 25.5 metre (83.6 ft) tall Egyptian obelisk moved in present location from Rome in 1586 on order of Pope Sixtus V. In the St Peter's Square are also two fountains: on the north is the fountain designed by Maderno in 1613 and on the south is the fountain created by Bernini in 1675.

The 120 meters (394 ft) high and 42.3 meters (138.8 ft) wide dome was designed by Michelangelo and built between 1585 and 1590 by the architect Giacomo della Porta with the assistance of Domenico Fontana. The interior of the St Peter's Basilica contains numerous artworks and art treasures created by some of the most famous and prominent artists in history. Within St Peter's Basilica are also numerous tombs of emperors and popes, including Pope John Paul II.
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