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Biggest Churches in the World

Written by

Arash F, Junior Journalist at Brand Vision Insights.

Educational

6 min read

Mar 20, 2025

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From grand domes dominating city skylines to sprawling naves that can hold tens of thousands, the world’s largest churches are more than just places of worship—they’re architectural and cultural landmarks. Below, we rank the 15 Biggest Churches in the World by total area, revealing their seating capacity and iconic heights. Each entry offers a glimpse into the history, artistry, and enduring significance behind these colossal edifices.

15. Hagia Sophia (Istanbul, Turkey)

Total area: ~7,960 m² (85,700 ft²)
Seating capacity: Not applicable (historically thousands, now a mosque/museum)
Height: 55.6 m (182 ft)

Constructed between 532 and 537 under Emperor Justinian I, Hagia Sophia reigned for nearly a millennium as Christendom’s largest church. Located in Istanbul’s historic center, it was converted to a mosque after the Ottoman conquest in 1453, then became a museum in 1935, and reconverted into a mosque in 2020. Its 32 m-wide dome was revolutionary for the Byzantine era, seemingly floating atop pendentives. Over centuries, Hagia Sophia’s interior welcomed Christian mosaics and later Ottoman calligraphy—today, visitors witness this blend of Byzantine engineering and Islamic heritage in one of history’s great sacred spaces.

14. Basilica of Our Lady of Peace (Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire)

Total area: 7,989 m² (85,978 ft²)
Seating capacity: 18,000 (7,000 seated + 11,000 standing)
Height: 158 m (518 ft)

Built from 1985 to 1989 in Côte d’Ivoire’s capital, the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Paix (Our Lady of Peace) draws inspiration from St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. Costing an estimated $300 million, it was consecrated by Pope John Paul II in 1990. The structure’s circular colonnade and towering dome rival Europe’s most lavish churches, although it’s often lightly attended. Controversially extravagant for its context, this church earned a Guinness World Record for its height and overall footprint, showcasing modern Catholic ambition on African soil.

13. Cathedral of Our Lady (Antwerp, Belgium)

Total area: ~8,000 m² (86,100 ft²)
Seating capacity: ~2,400 (+ standing)
Height: 123 m (404 ft)

Rising in the heart of Antwerp, the Cathedral of Our Lady was begun in 1352 and finished around 1521—its single spire, completed first, stands 123 m high, dominating the skyline. Gothic in style, it houses masterpieces by Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens. Although the second tower was never built, the cathedral’s vaults, chapels, and elaborate buttresses exemplify the monumental scale of Low Countries’ Gothic architecture. Restorations have preserved its artistic treasures and belfry, recognized by UNESCO, making it a centerpiece of Antwerp’s cultural and religious life.

12. Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Mexico City, Mexico)

Total area: ~8,167 m² (87,920 ft²)
Seating capacity: ~10,000
Height: 42 m (138 ft)

Built from 1974 to 1976, this modern circular basilica accommodates the millions of pilgrims who visit the Virgin of Guadalupe’s sacred image each year. Located in the northern Tepeyac district of Mexico City, it replaced the old sinking basilica next door. Architect Pedro Ramírez Vázquez designed a 125 m diameter structure that allows all to view the revered cloak from nearly any vantage point. The large roof and 12 external spires represent the apostles. While contemporary in appearance, the shrine upholds a centuries-old devotion, consistently ranking among the most visited Catholic sites worldwide.

11. Florence Cathedral (Florence, Italy)

Total area: 8,300 m² (89,340 ft²)
Seating capacity: ~3,000
Height: 114.5 m (376 ft)

Formally known as Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence Cathedral was constructed between 1296 and 1436, with a final neo-Gothic façade added in the 19th century. Filippo Brunelleschi’s dome—still the largest brick dome ever built—crowns the structure, soaring to 114.5 m. Inside, the cathedral’s polychrome marble and vast nave create a breathtaking atmosphere for about 3,000 worshipers. The adjacent Giotto’s Campanile and Baptistery form part of the UNESCO World Heritage site celebrating Florence’s Renaissance legacy, symbolizing centuries of civic pride and architectural innovation.

10. Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar (Zaragoza, Spain)

Total area: 8,318 m² (89,534 ft²)
Seating capacity: Several thousand
Height: ~90 m (295 ft) (four corner towers)

Our Lady of the Pillar stands on the banks of the Ebro River in Zaragoza. Begun in 1681 and completed in the 19th century, the Baroque basilica honors a legendary apparition of the Virgin Mary to the Apostle James in AD 40. Its interior houses the small pillar and Marian image that’s central to Spanish devotion, while the exterior boasts four symmetrical towers and multiple domes clad in colorful tiles. The church’s expansive floor accommodates thousands of pilgrims, particularly during the Feast of the Pillar each October, and frescoes by Goya grace its ceilings—emphasizing its significance in Spanish religious and artistic heritage.

9. Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls (Rome, Italy)

Total area: 8,515 m² (91,500 ft²)
Seating capacity: ~3,000+ (approx.)
Height: ~30 m (98 ft) interior

One of Rome’s four major papal basilicas, St. Paul Outside the Walls was erected in the 4th century over St. Paul’s burial site. A devastating 1823 fire led to its 19th-century reconstruction, meticulously restoring its five-aisled layout. Located outside the ancient city walls, the basilica features a lavish courtyard and richly decorated interior, including a grand mosaic in the apse and the tomb of St. Paul. While overshadowed by St. Peter’s, it remains a crucial pilgrimage spot and a testament to early Christian Rome’s architectural grandeur.

8. Basilica of the Holy Trinity (Fátima, Portugal)

Total area: 8,700 m² (93,650 ft²)
Seating capacity: 8,633
Height: ~18 m (59 ft)

Dedicated in 2007, this contemporary circular basilica at the Fátima Sanctuary accommodates thousands of pilgrims who come to honor the Virgin Mary’s 1917 apparitions. Its minimalist design aims for maximum capacity—over 8,600 seats—while a 125 m diameter ensures unobstructed sightlines toward the altar. Artwork by Marko Rupnik decorates the interior, and the entire structure earned an Outstanding Structure Award in 2009 for its advanced engineering. With many Marian devotees flocking here annually, the Basilica of the Holy Trinity exemplifies modern ecclesiastical architecture serving a major 21st-century pilgrimage site.

7. Liverpool Cathedral (Liverpool, England)

Total area: 9,687 m² (104,270 ft²)
Seating capacity: ~3,500
Height: 101 m (331 ft) (central tower)

Britain’s largest church and a pride of northwest England, Liverpool Cathedral’s foundation stone was laid in 1904, but it was only finalized in 1978. This Anglican edifice combines Gothic Revival design with the vision of architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. It boasts Europe’s tallest Gothic arches, a massive central tower rising 101 m, and one of the world’s heaviest and highest bell peals. Hosting both religious services and cultural events, the cathedral remains a cornerstone of Liverpool’s spiritual and civic identity, commonly referred to as “the Great English Cathedral of the 20th century.”

6. Basilica of Our Lady of Licheń (Licheń Stary, Poland)

Total area: ~10,090 m² (108,600 ft²)
Seating capacity: ~7,000
Height: 141.5 m (464 ft) bell tower; 98 m (321 ft) dome

Built from 1994 to 2004 with donations from Polish pilgrims, the Basilica of Our Lady of Licheń is Poland’s largest church. Its neo-classical style includes a 25 m dome, lavish marble floors, and gold-accented interiors. It also features a 141.5 m tower, among the tallest bell towers worldwide. Dedicated to a 19th-century Marian apparition, the shrine draws significant religious tourism. Despite being contemporary, its grandeur rivals older European basilicas, underscoring post-Communist Poland’s flourishing Catholic devotion.

5. Cathedral of St. John the Divine (New York City, USA)

Total area: 11,240 m² (120,000 ft²)
Seating capacity: ~8,000–9,000
Height: ~50 m (165 ft) interior vault

Nicknamed “St. John the Unfinished,” this Episcopal cathedral in Manhattan was launched in 1892 and has seen multiple architectural styles—from Romanesque-Byzantine to Gothic Revival. Though incomplete, it is the world’s largest Anglican church by area. Its soaring nave, lined with massive columns, can host thousands for both worship and cultural events. St. John the Divine is famed for its 10,000+ pipe organ, the biggest rose window in America, and ongoing restorations following a fire in 2001. Despite construction halts, it embodies New York’s enduring spiritual and civic heritage.

4. Seville Cathedral (Seville, Spain)

Total area: 11,500 m² (123,785 ft²)
Seating capacity: ~20,000
Height: 105 m (344 ft) (Giralda tower)

Completed in 1528 atop a former mosque, Seville Cathedral is the largest Gothic cathedral globally. Its construction famously followed the motto: “Let us build a church so beautiful that those who see it will think we are mad.” The result is a majestic interior housing the gold-encrusted Retablo Mayor (one of the biggest altarpieces) and the tomb of Christopher Columbus. The adjoining Giralda tower was a minaret before its Christian adaptation. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the cathedral’s sheer scale and blend of Moorish and Gothic influences make it a cultural treasure in southern Spain.

3. Milan Cathedral (Milan, Italy)

Total area: 11,700 m² (125,938 ft²)
Seating capacity: ~40,000
Height: 108.5 m (356 ft)

The Duomo di Milano took nearly six centuries (1386–1965) to achieve its final form. This marble-clad Gothic behemoth, crowned by 135 spires, is Italy’s largest church (since St. Peter’s is technically in Vatican City). Able to hold around 40,000 worshippers, the Duomo flaunts an ornate facade, stunning stained glass, and rooftop terraces granting panoramic views over Milan. Its iconic gilded Madonnina at 108.5 m symbolizes the city, forging a unique identity on the Italian skyline. A testament to medieval craftsmanship and Renaissance finishing, Milan’s cathedral remains a must-visit landmark for pilgrims and art lovers alike.

2. Basilica of Our Lady of Aparecida (Aparecida, Brazil)

Total area: 12,000 m² (129,167 ft²)
Seating capacity: ~30,000 seated (up to 45,000)
Height: 109 m (358 ft)

Dedicated to Brazil’s patron saint, the Basilica of Our Lady of Aparecida stands as the largest cathedral worldwide by overall area. Built between 1955 and 1980, this Romanesque-style structure houses a famed statue of the Virgin Mary discovered by fishermen in 1717. Its cross-shaped floor plan, flanked by a 109 m tower and dome, accommodates tens of thousands of pilgrims annually. Declared a minor basilica by Pope John Paul II, Aparecida’s shrine serves as a primary center of devotion, complete with extensive parking for buses and pilgrims, highlighting its pivotal role in Brazil’s Catholic faith.

1. St. Peter’s Basilica (Vatican City)

Total area: 15,160 m² (163,182 ft²)
Seating capacity: ~20,000 seated (up to 60,000 with standing)
Height: 136.6 m (448 ft)

Widely regarded as the world’s largest church by interior measure, St. Peter’s Basilica resides in the heart of the Vatican. Constructed from 1506 to 1626, it replaced an earlier 4th-century basilica. Michelangelo’s iconic dome—rising 136.6 m—defines Rome’s skyline, while Bernini’s bronze baldachin and the Renaissance art within (such as Michelangelo’s Pietà) underscore its significance in Christian heritage. Tens of thousands can gather for papal liturgies, and the structure has served as the setting for major ecclesiastical events. Symbolizing Catholicism’s global reach, St. Peter’s embodies artistic genius and religious gravitas like no other.

Upcoming Mega-Church Developments to Watch

The Eternal Word Cathedral (Bogotá, Colombia):
A planned modern cathedral capable of seating over 20,000, blending local Colombian styles with contemporary architecture. Construction timelines point to completion in the late 2020s, potentially rivaling Europe’s major basilicas in scale.

Solomon’s Temple Project (São Paulo, Brazil):
An existing large pentecostal complex by the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God which may double its capacity. With expansions that could surpass 10,000 seats, it reflects the growing impact of megachurch movements in Brazil.

Africa Rising Cathedral (Accra, Ghana):
A national cathedral initiative in Ghana intended to host up to 7,000 seated worshippers plus a museum and cultural center. Slated as a symbol of national pride, it exemplifies the wave of grand religious projects in sub-Saharan Africa.

As new houses of worship break ground worldwide—some merging modern design with extraordinary capacity—the tradition of building monumental churches continues, each echoing the spiritual aspirations and cultural expression of its era.

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