The world is flooded with large churches, built striking works of architecture that are abundant with historical details. For devotees, they are not only a massive construction, but they are sacred places made of sacred materials. Here are ten of the biggest churches in the world.
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10. Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, Ivory Coast
Inspired by the Basilica of St. Peter, the church was built in 1989 with 8,000 ft² of indoor area. Although rather small, it can house up to 18,000 people inside.
9. Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Belgium
This landmark of faith was dedicated to the sacred heart of Jesus and was completed in 1969. It has lived through two world wars before it could even be constructed. The 8,000 m² basilica is located in Brussels.
8. Basilica of the Holy Trinity, Portugal
Of all churches in this list, the Basilica of the Holy Trinity is the most modern. This church can accommodate up to 9,000 people. This Byzantine and Orthodox art-inspired was built in the village of Fatima in Portugal between 2004 and 2007. It has an interior area of 8,700 m².
7. Shrine of Our Lady of Lichen, Poland
The basilica was built through donations from pilgrims and spanned ten years for the construction to be ready (from 1994–2004). The Roman Catholic church is in Lichen Stary, Poland. Its inner area is 10,090 m².
6. Cathedral of Liverpool, UK
Located in Liverpool is this second largest Anglican Church in the world. Constructed between 1904 and 1978, it has been inspired by the Gothic Revival style. This church can accommodate up to 5,800 people in its 9,678 m² internal area.
5. Cathedral of Milan, Italy
The Cathedral of Milan is the most famous Gothic church in Europe, whose structure and finishing took nearly six centuries to be completed and turn it to what it is today. It is one of the main references in Milan as far as architecture, art, and literature are concerned. Its interior has 10,186 m².
4. Cathedral of St. John the Divine, United States
The largest church in the United States, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, has an indoor area of 11,200 ft². It was founded in 1892, but after the fire in 2001, a neo-Gothic decoration was compromised. Although still going on with its normal functions, the work remains unfinished.
3. Cathedral of Seville, Spain
The Cathedral of Seville, otherwise known as the Cathedral of Santa Maria, traces its history back to its first foundation in the sixteenth century. Christopher Columbus is said to be buried here. It has an inner area of 11,500 m² and has very rich details of Gothic architecture. It is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
2. Basilica of Our Lady of Aparecida, Brazil
Brazil is the world’s largest Catholic country. Here can be found the largest center of Marian pilgrimage in the world, the Basilica of Our Lady of Aparecida. The shrine, which was built between 1946 and 1980, receives up to 10 million visits every year. The 12,000 m² interior space has the capacity of up to 45,000–70,000 devotees.
1. St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City
Considered the mother church of all the Roman Catholic Church, the Basilica of St. Peter is one of the holiest places for Catholics. It has been traditionally known that the altar is the tomb of Peter, one of the twelve apostles of Christ. The basilica has an internal area of 15,160 m² and can accommodate 60,000 devotees.