Wender·Vista
Yamoussoukro
shown on ceramic, 12-inch tileIvory Coast
in the savanna of central Ivory Coast, about 240 km north of Abidjan

Yamoussoukro

— — a dome rising out of the long grass.

— Where it lives

Not only on a wall.

A small tile on the nightstand catching the morning. A larger one above the fire. Yours, wherever you spend the slow hours.
— On the nightstand, a 6-inch on a walnut stand
— Among the books, a 6-inch leaning into the spines
— Beside the kettle, a 12-inch propped
— Down a quiet hall, an 18-inch floating off the wall
— Above the fire, the 24-inch in a walnut surround
— a note from the studio

“The political capital of Ivory Coast, and the birthplace of its first president, Félix Houphouët-Boigny. A planned city of wide boulevards and ceremonial axes set into the savanna. The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace stands on the western edge, a dome modelled on St Peter's in Rome, taller and visible from the highway long before the city itself comes into view. Mango trees line the central avenues. Sacred crocodiles still live in the presidential lake. from the studio

from the studio
Yamoussoukro
— bring it home

Yamoussoukro, on ceramic.

Each tile is finished by hand in our Knoxville studio. Artwork is slowly infused into the ceramic surface under high heat and pressure, and rests beneath a thin glossy finish. The colour lives in the surface, not on top of it.

What kind of piece?
One tile — square or rectangle.
How big?
the popular one — counter, shelf, nightstand
6 × 6 in · 15 cm · 1.6 lb
Surface finish
A clear glossy finish — the artwork reads as if under resin. Ideal for show-pieces and framed wall art.
How it sits
A hidden cleat — sits ¼″ proud of the wall.
$58
Hand-finished and shipped from our studio at the foot of the Smokies. On your wall in about ten days.
— size
6 × 6 in
15 cm
— weighs
1.6 lb
solid in the hand
— surface
ceramic, hand-finished
art rests beneath a thin glossy finish
— from
Knoxville, TN
our family studio, at the foot of the Smokies
— start a Coaster Set

Pick any four 4-inch tiles — National Parks you've been to, a Smokies set, the four seasons of one place. $ for a set of , cork-backed, ready to live on the table.

— about Yamoussoukro

The place, in three passes.

A little of what's known, in case you fall down the rabbit hole — or want to go see it yourself.
— the place

Yamoussoukro has been the political capital of Ivory Coast since 1983, when President Félix Houphouët-Boigny relocated the seat of government from Abidjan to his hometown. The city sits about 240 kilometres north of Abidjan on the A3 highway, in the country's savanna belt at an elevation near 217 metres. Population estimates run around 280,000, modest for a capital. The Autonomous District covers a much larger area of planned avenues, public buildings, and undeveloped reserve land, designed to absorb the eventual transfer of ministries from Abidjan.

— the stone

The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, consecrated by Pope John Paul II on 10 September 1990, is the city's defining structure. The Guinness Book lists it as the largest church in the world by area, at roughly 30,000 square metres, with a dome inspired by St Peter's in Rome but built taller. Italian marble clads the interior; the stained glass was made in France. The basilica was funded personally by Houphouët-Boigny and sits on the western edge of the city, visible from the A3 well before the centre.

— the visit

Most visitors arrive by road from Abidjan, a drive of roughly three to four hours on the A3 toll highway. The basilica welcomes visitors daily outside of Mass; modest dress is expected and guided tours are offered in French and English. The sacred crocodiles at the Presidential Palace lake are fed publicly each afternoon, a long-running tradition. The dry season from November through March is the practical window; the rainy months from May through October bring heavy afternoon storms that close some unpaved approaches.

— where
Ivory Coast · Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast
— elevation
217 m · 712 ft
— position
6.8276° N · 5.2893° W
— the neighborhood

What's nearby.

A handful of named places within an hour's walk or short drive. Some we've already painted; some we will.
4 km W
Basilica of Our Lady of Peace
basilica
2 km N
Presidential Palace
palace
3 km NE
Houphouët-Boigny Foundation
institute
N
Yamoussoukro
Basilica of Our Lady of Peace
Presidential Palace
Houphouët-Boigny Foundation
— common questions

What people ask.

A few questions we get about Yamoussoukro — and about bringing the piece home.
— about the place

Yamoussoukro has been the political capital since 1983, when President Houphouët-Boigny moved the seat of government from Abidjan to his hometown. Abidjan remains the economic capital and the country's largest city.

President Houphouët-Boigny commissioned it for his hometown and funded it personally. Consecrated by Pope John Paul II in September 1990, it sits on the western edge of the city and was designed with a dome taller than St Peter's in Rome.

Guinness records it as the largest church in the world by area, at roughly 30,000 square metres. The dome rises about 158 metres including the cross, and the esplanade can hold around 300,000 people.

Most travel is by road from Abidjan, about 240 kilometres south on the A3 toll highway, three to four hours by car or coach. There is a small regional airport but limited scheduled service.

Tropical savanna. The dry season runs November through March with warm days and cooler nights. The rainy season runs May through October with heavy afternoon storms. Average highs sit near 32 °C year-round.

Crocodiles live in the artificial lake surrounding the Presidential Palace, fed publicly each afternoon by an attendant. The tradition predates the move of the capital and has continued as a city custom.

— about the piece in your home

It travels well as a gift. The basilica and the savanna together are an unusual pairing in wall art for the diaspora. A Small or Medium with a handwritten note from the studio carries the place clearly.

The piece reads well in warm-earth Maximalist rooms, in a study with mahogany or teak, or alongside West African textiles. Less suited to cool Scandinavian palettes or strict Minimalism.

Yes. Sacred-architecture pieces from underrepresented regions have become a growing category in collector wall art. The Medium hung in an entryway reads as a small framed painting, not as travel merchandise.

Above a standard sofa, a single Large or a 4-tile Mural fills the wall without crowding. Above a console or entry bench, the Medium centred reads best. For a feature wall, a 9-tile Mural carries the full scene.

Yes, in the Dura Satin or Matte finish. Both are scratch-resistant and handle steam and splashes. The Glossy finish is reserved for framed wall art in dry rooms.

A dry microfibre cloth handles dust. For a kitchen or bathroom install, a damp microfibre with plain water lifts splash residue. No solvents, no abrasive pads, no glass cleaner.

Yes. Every WenderVista piece is original work from a single studio in Knoxville, Tennessee. We do not license images from other artists or stock libraries.

— if this one stayed with you

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