There are a number of impressive religious monuments in the world of great size with the Saint Peter's Basilica (built in the 16th century) in Rome, Italy being the most famous as the largest church in the world for several centuries covering an expanse of 23,000 sq m (247,600 sq ft); the basilica named after the apostle St Peter is famous as the final resting place of the Popes.
Today though it is the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro in Cote d'Ivoire, Africa which is the largest church covering an area of 30,000 sq m (323,000 sq ft). The basilica was constructed in a period of about 5 years with construction beginning in 1985 and ending with its consecration in 1990 by the Pope John Paul II. The largest Cathedral in the world is the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York, USA, while the largest wooden religious structure is the Todaiji temple in Nara, Japan.
Today though it is the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro in Cote d'Ivoire, Africa which is the largest church covering an area of 30,000 sq m (323,000 sq ft). The basilica was constructed in a period of about 5 years with construction beginning in 1985 and ending with its consecration in 1990 by the Pope John Paul II. The largest Cathedral in the world is the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York, USA, while the largest wooden religious structure is the Todaiji temple in Nara, Japan.
