St. Paul's Cathedral

St. Paul's Cathedral is a concrete structure on a hill designed to resemble a human figure when viewed from above. Its elevated location provides sweeping views across the Bay of Cocody and much of Abidjan's waterfront.

The foundation stone was laid by Pope John Paul II in 1980, and the completed building received papal dedication in 1985 during his second visit to Côte d'Ivoire. These two visits established it as a symbol of the country's religious importance to the wider world.

The fourteen terracotta ceramic panels inside depict Christ's story through the lens of local Ivorian perspectives. This artistic choice makes the religious narrative immediately recognizable and personal to the surrounding community.

The cathedral sits on elevated terrain and is generally approachable from street level with reasonable accessibility. Visitors should remember this is an active place of worship, so certain conduct expectations and visiting hours for non-service times may apply.

During the 2010-2011 political crisis, the building sheltered roughly 1,800 people seeking safety from the violence unfolding across the city. This unexpected humanitarian role demonstrates how religious sites can become places of hope and protection during times of unrest.

Location: Abidjan

Inception: 1985

Architects: Aldo Spirito

Architectural style: Art Nouveau architecture

Address: 8XMH+5X7, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire

Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 06:30-19:00; Saturday 06:30-19:30; Sunday 11:00-18:00

Phone: +2252720212026

GPS coordinates: 5.33291,-4.02008

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:40