Ouagadougou Cathedral, Catholic cathedral in Burkina Faso

Ouagadougou Cathedral is a Catholic basilica-plan church built entirely of banco, or earthen brick, between 1934 and 1936. Its facade has a triple portal flanked by two massive, unfinished towers of different heights, and the nave and side aisles are lit by oculi and twin round-arched windows in a Romanesque manner.

Built between 1934 and 1936 at the initiative of apostolic vicar Joanny Thévenoud of the White Fathers, the cathedral was dedicated on 19 January 1936 after two years of construction. It became the seat of the Archdiocese of Ouagadougou on 14 September 1955. The two facade towers were never given the spires originally planned.

The cathedral is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary and has been the seat of the Archdiocese of Ouagadougou since 14 September 1955. Beyond worship, it hosts concerts, exhibitions and other events. Behind the building, near the car park, an Ave Maria altar holds a statue of the Virgin in a carved stone arch.

The site is accessible on foot and has open areas for visitors to explore the interior. It is advisable to wear modest clothing and respect any active services or ceremonies taking place during your visit.

The two facade towers were meant to carry spires that were never added, so they stand unfinished and at different heights. The whole building is mud brick, or banco, rather than stone. Behind the cathedral, near the car park, an Ave Maria altar holds a statue of the Virgin in a carved stone arch.