🇨🇮 Cathédrale Saint-Paul d'Abidjan | Africa's 2nd Largest Church

⛪ A Concrete Miracle Designed by Italian architect Aldo Spirito, this Roman Catholic cathedral was consecrated by Pope John Paul II himself in 1980. With a $12M price tag, it became (in 2002) Africa's second-largest church—a modernist marvel blending faith and brutalism. 🔨 Architectural Wonders • Giant Silhouette: The entrance's towering concrete figure resembles a kneeling worshipper with billowing robes, merging into the roof. • Floating Cross: A 7-cable-anchored crucifix appears to "pull" toward the lagoon (like Rio's Christ the Redeemer!). • Storytelling Walls: 14 terracotta panels depict Christ's journey with local cultural motifs. 🌅 Divine Views Perched on a hill, it overlooks Abidjan's skyline & Cocody Bay—best visited at sunset when the colored glass glows. 📸 Photographer: @henriklangsdorf 🏗️ Built: 1985 | Materials: Concrete, steel, travertine & stained glass #BrutalistBeauty #ConcretePoetry #SacredArchitecture