Dictators have a tendency to leave behind a warped legacy – inequality often becomes overshadowed by extravagance, and Former Ivory Coast dictator Félix Houphouët-Boigny was no different. Felix was the country’s first post-colonialism president, and was immensely popular for the 33 years that he ruled the country. The leader amassed quite a fortune during his time in office. Most of it ended up going towards his pet project, The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro. The church was created to maintain his legacy, and it took only three years to complete the colossal structure – compared to the 109 years it took to construct St. Peter’s (in the Vatican).

The complex stretches across 323,000 square feet and is 525 feet high. The place is even rigged with individual air conditioning vents for all 7,000 chairs. The interior is adorned with 36 massive stained glass windows, handmade in France – and get this – one window depicts the leader himself offering a gift to Jesus.

The Vatican was quite obviously a bit pissed with its precious St. Peter’s being overshadowed by the African President’s humble little building, and Pope John Paul II requested that the basilica not be built taller than St. Peter’s, so the architect lowered  the dome height but cheekily placed a massive 30-foot cross on top, making it taller. All this despite the fact that Catholics only constitute around 10% of the population.

The list goes on and on and on, but frankly for an organised religion based on altruistic principles none of this seems kosher.

[Source : TheDailyBeast]