Across the globe, churches stand not only as places of worship but also as architectural marvels that reflect centuries of faith, culture, and craftsmanship. The largest churches in the world are awe-inspiring in both size and spiritual significance, drawing millions of visitors each year for pilgrimage, tourism, and religious ceremonies. These monumental structures often represent the heart of their communities, showcasing intricate designs, towering domes, and vast interiors that can hold tens of thousands of people.From iconic cathedrals in Europe to massive basilicas in Africa and Latin America, the top 10 largest churches in the world reveal the incredible scale and devotion embedded in religious architecture. Each church on this list tells a story of heritage, resilience, and the enduring influence of Christianity throughout history. Whether centuries old or relatively new, these sacred spaces remain powerful symbols of unity, hope, and divine inspiration.
These Are The Top 10 List Of The Biggest Churches In The World
1. St. Peter’s Basilica (Vatican City)
Over the course of 120 years, from 1506 to 1626, the construction of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City took place. It is the largest church in the world in terms of both its interior area and its known capacity. One of the most well-known cathedrals in the world, St. Peter’s church has a visitor capacity of 60,000 people, which is greater than the capacity of many football stadiums. The internal space of the church is 15,160 square meters, while the outside space is 21,095 square meters. To put this into perspective, Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles is the largest baseball stadium in the United States, with the capacity to accommodate 56,000 spectators.
2. Basilica of Our Lady Aparecida (Aparecida, Brazil)
The bright, blue-roofed Basilica of Our Lady Aparecida in Brazil is the second-biggest Catholic church in terms of internal area. It is also the largest cathedral in the world, despite the fact that St. Peter’s is a basilica rather than a cathedral. With a total capacity of 45,000 worshipers, the cathedral has an interior space of 12,000 square meters and an outside space of 18,331 square meters. 4,000 buses and 6,000 cars are able to be accommodated in its parking space.
3. Milan Cathedral (Milan, Italy)
Since its construction began in 1386 and continued until 1965, the Milan Cathedral in Italy has been under construction for close to 600 years. This cathedral’s internal space is estimated to be between 10,000 and 11,700 square meters, and its capacity is estimated to be 40,000 people. However, the specific size of the cathedral is a topic of some disagreement. One of the more distinctive characteristics of the cathedral is its collection of 135 stone spires, each of which is topped by a statue (often depicting a saint or a martyr). This arrangement offered a novel option for the cathedral to raise funds. A program that allows devotees to “adopt” the spire of their choice was announced by church officials in the year 2012.
4. Yoido Full Gospel (Seoul, South Korea)
Yoido Full Gospel is the largest church in the world in terms of its outside area, which spans over 44,000 square meters as measured in square meters. When compared to other huge churches, Yoido stands out due to the fact that its denomination is not Catholic or Orthodox instead it is Pentecostal. In Seoul, South Korea, Yoidi is a place of worship that has the potential to accommodate 12,000 worshippers at any given moment. Another thing that makes the Yoido church famous is the fact that it has the greatest congregation of any church in the entire world. There were a total of 830,000 members of the main church and all of its satellite churches in the year 2007. Even with the separation of twenty satellite churches into independent churches in the year 2010, the documented membership continued to be as high as 480,000 in the year 2020.
5. Milan Cathedral (Milan, Italy)
The Milan Cathedral, or Duomo di Milano, is a monumental masterpiece of Gothic architecture and one of the most iconic landmarks in Italy. Situated in the heart of Milan, its grandeur reflects centuries of devotion, artistry, and architectural innovation
, Construction of the cathedral commenced in 1386 under Archbishop Antonio da Saluzzo, with significant support from Gian Galeazzo Visconti, the Duke of Milan. The project spanned nearly six centuries, with the final details completed in 1965 . This extensive timeline showcases a blend of Gothic, Renaissance, and neo-Gothic styles, making the cathedral a unique tapestry of evolving architectural trends.
6. Seville Cathedral (Seville, Spain)
Seville Cathedral, located in Seville, Spain, is one of the largest and most magnificent churches in the world, boasting a floor area of approximately 9,800 square meters. Completed in the early 16th century atop the site of a former mosque, it exemplifies Gothic architecture at its most grandiose, with later additions in Renaissance and Baroque styles
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7. Basilica of the Holy Trinity (Fatima, Portugal)
The Basilica of the Holy Trinity in Fátima, Portugal, is a striking modern Roman Catholic church that stands as a symbol of faith and pilgrimage. Located near the famed Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima, this basilica was constructed to accommodate the growing number of visitors who come to the site of the 1917 Marian apparitions.
Completed in 2007, the Basilica of the Holy Trinity was designed by Greek architect Alexandros Tombazis and is one of the largest Catholic churches in the world, with a seating capacity of over 8,600.
8. Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls (Rome, Italy)
The Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, Italy is one of the four major papal basilicas and among the largest churches in the world, covering an area of 8,515 square meters. Built over the burial site of Saint Paul the Apostle, it holds deep spiritual significance for Christians worldwide. Originally constructed in the 4th century under Emperor Constantine and later rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1823, the basilica is renowned for its grand architecture, intricate mosaics, and a striking colonnaded courtyard. It also houses medallions of all popes from Saint Peter to the current pontiff, symbolizing the continuity of the papacy.
9. Liverpool Cathedral (Liverpool, England)
Liverpool Cathedral, located in Liverpool, England, is one of the largest churches in the world by volume, with an interior space of approximately 8,400 square meters. Officially known as the Cathedral Church of Christ in Liverpool, it serves as the seat of the Bishop of Liverpool and a major symbol of Anglican worship in the United Kingdom.
Construction began in 1904 and was completed in 1978, spanning most of the 20th century. Designed by famed architect Giles Gilbert Scott, the cathedral combines Gothic Revival elements with modern sensibilities, making it an architectural landmark.
10. Basilica Cathedral of Our Lady of the Pillar
Over the course of 120 years, from 1506 to 1626, the construction of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City took place. It is the largest church in the world in terms of both its interior area and its known capacity. One of the most well-known cathedrals in the world, St. Peter’s church has a visitor capacity of 60,000 people, which is greater than the capacity of many football stadiums. The internal space of the church is 15,160 square meters, while the outside space is 21,095 square meters. To put this into perspective, Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles is the largest baseball stadium in the United States, with the capacity to accommodate 56,000 spectators.