Which Is the World Largest Church by Area and Capacity
The world largest church by total area and seating capacity is Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast. The complex covers about 30,000 square meters and can accommodate roughly 18,000 worshippers, making it the top-ranked church in global size comparisons source.
By interior volume and nave dimensions, the largest church in the world is St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, with a capacity of more than 60,000 people and a dome height of 136 meters source.
Key Facts, Dimensions, and Construction Timeline
Basilica of Our Lady of Peace
Construction of Basilica of Our Lady of Peace began in 1985 and was completed in 1990, with total cost estimated at about 150 million USD. The building is modeled on St. Peter's Basilica and includes a dome, two bell towers, and a plaza covering 28 hectares source.
St. Peter's Basilica
Architectural and Structural Data
St. Peter's Basilica was designed by architects including Michelangelo, Bramante, and Bernini, with construction spanning from 1506 to 1626. The nave is 211 meters long, the dome rises 136 meters, and the interior volume exceeds 1.5 million cubic meters, supporting its position as the largest church by capacity source.
Rankings, Capacity Comparisons, and Global Context
Global church rankings by area place Basilica of Our Lady of Peace first, followed by St. Peter's Basilica and Liverpool Cathedral in the United Kingdom. By capacity, St. Peter's Basilica leads, followed by Basilica of Our Lady of Peace and Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida in Brazil source.
These rankings are based on publicly available architectural data, official church statements, and third-party references such as encyclopedias and tourism authorities, and they reflect the latest verified measurements and capacity estimates for the world largest church and other major basilicas.