Côte d’Ivoire: the basilica of Yamoussoukro turns 25

The basilica Notre-Dame de la Paix of Yamoussoukro in Côte d’Ivoire celebrated its 25th anniversary on September 10, 2015.

According to Radio France Internationale (RFI) on September 11, its construction “remains linked with President Félix Houphouët-Boigny, who ordered it built, a fervent Catholic.” The former president who governed Côte d’Ivoire for 33 years (1960 – 1993) wished in the way “to express his gratitude to the Virgin Mary for Côte d’Ivoire, long considered a haven of peace of prosperity” in the region. He chose this location in order to make Yamoussoukro, the village of his birth, located 248 km north of Abidjan, into the political and administrative capital of Côte d’Ivoire.

Also known as “the basilica of the savannah,” Notre-Dame de la Paix is higher than St. Peter’s in Rome, 158 metres high with a cupola 90 metres around and 60 metres high, crowned with a cross of gold. The basilica was consecrated 25 years ago by Pope John Paul II before a congregation of 200,000 on September 10, 1990. It was officially opened for worship January 1, 1991, with the arrival of the Pallotine Fathers.

(Sources kipa-apic.ch – RFI – ndpbasilica – DICI no. 321, 25/09/15)