Basilique Notre-Dame de la Paix
This monument is the biggest Catholic Church in the world. Not even the famous Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican can lay claim to this. Standing at 158m tall, it is perhaps, the most visited tourist attraction in Cote d’Ivoire. One of the striking features of the basilica is a personal air-conditioning for every seat. Felix Houphouet-Boigny, the founding father of the country, thought it would be his legacy to his nation and service to God. However, it became really controversial as the cost of the building, estimated in the region of US $300 million doubled the country’s debt at the time it was completed in 1989. The maintenance of the edifice costs around $1.5m annually and paid for by the foundation set up by the former president.
