5B AFRICA TOUR - CÔTE D'IVOIRE - THE BASILICA OF OUR LADY OF PEACE (14 MAY 26)

The Côte d’Ivoire tour arrives at one of the country’s most extraordinary landmarks: the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro. Rising above the city with towering columns, stained glass, marble, statues, and an immense dome inspired by St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, the Basilica is more than a place of worship, it is a symbol of faith, ambition, history, and national identity. Consecrated in 1990 by Pope John Paul II and designed by architect Pierre Fakhoury, the structure is often recognised as the largest church building in the world by area. This audio journey goes beyond the scale of the building to explore the stories inside it: the history behind its construction, the symbolism woven into its glass, flags, and artwork, and the quiet details that give the space its emotional power. From a distance, the Basilica impresses with size, but up close, it reveals a deeper story about Côte d’Ivoire, where faith, politics, beauty, pride, and controversy all echo within its walls.