Notre Dame Cathedral, Bangui: A Local Iteration of French Architecture in Central Africa


Cathedral Bangui Notre Dame, famous church in Central African Republic. Image © mbrand85/Shutterstock

Cathedral Bangui Notre Dame, famous church in Central African Republic. Image © mbrand85/Shutterstock

Located in the city of Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, is the Notre Dame Cathedral. This large red brick church was built in the early 1900s in the French colonial style. As the city grew from a small outpost to a colonial capital, the building was formed as a cultural and symbolic fusion of European and Central African architectural styles. Designed by French architect Roger Erell, the cathedral showcases local construction craftsmanship, provides a space for spiritual solace, and contributes to the national identity of the country.

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