The definition of “largest church” can vary it may refer to seating capacity, height, exterior grounds, or most commonly, interior floor space. The following list highlights the 20 largest church buildings globally based on interior area. These sacred structures blend history, faith, and architectural grandeur to create some of Earth’s most awe-inspiring spaces. All figures are based on verified data sources as of 2025.
Top 20 Largest Churches by Interior Area
| Rank | Church | Location | Interior Area (m²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Peter’s Basilica | Vatican City | 15,160 |
| 2 | Basilica of Our Lady of Aparecida | Aparecida, Brazil | 12,000 |
| 3 | Milan Cathedral | Milan, Italy | 11,700 |
| 4 | Seville Cathedral | Seville, Spain | 11,500 |
| 5 | Cathedral of St. John the Divine | New York, USA | 11,241 |
| 6 | Basilica of Our Lady of Lichéń | Lichén Stary, Poland | 10,090 |
| 7 | Liverpool Cathedral | Liverpool, UK | 9,687 |
| 8 | Basilica of the Holy Trinity | Fátima, Portugal | 8,700 |
| 9 | Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls | Rome, Italy | 8,515 |
| 10 | Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar | Zaragoza, Spain | 8,318 |
| 11 | Florence Cathedral (Duomo) | Florence, Italy | 8,300 |
| 12 | Rio de Janeiro Cathedral | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | 8,000 |
| 13 | Cathedral of Our Lady | Antwerp, Belgium | 8,000 |
| 14 | Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Koekelberg) | Brussels, Belgium | 8,000 |
| 15–20 | Churches near 7,914–7,989 m², including Basilica of Our Lady of Peace (Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast), Hagia Sophia, Cologne Cathedral, San Petronio Basilica, etc. | — | c. 7,920–7,989 |
Insight and Significance
- Ranking basis: These churches are ranked by interior floor area, not external size or seating capacity.
- Yamoussoukro exception: The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Ivory Coast, often cited as the world’s largest based on exterior area (≈30,000 m²), is not usually listed among the largest by interior floor space because its interior is under 8,000 m².
- Terminological clarity: Terms like “church,” “cathedral,” and “basilica” reflect different roles or statuses in Christian architecture, which means lists can differ depending on criteria used.
Additional Notes
- Interior vs exterior: Locations like Yamoussoukro may have grand exterior structures, but interior metrics remain modest.
- Varying types: Some spaces accommodate heavy standing crowds, whereas others emphasize seated worship capacity.
- Data discrepancies: Multiple estimates exist for some buildings area figures are based on the most widely verified data available
Expert Summary
The architectural celebration evident in the world’s largest church interiors underscores humanity’s desire to merge spiritual quest with monumental design. From Renaissance masterpieces like St. Peter’s Basilica to modern marvels like the Basilica of Our Lady of Lichéń and Liverpool Cathedral, these spaces reflect both spiritual devotion and architectural ingenuity.
