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.
