The world's craziest vanity projects

The world’s craziest vanity projects

One of the great privileges of power is that you get to splash the cash on whatever you like. However, some rulers are more responsible than others, and for every one that will spend it on public services, there’s another that will build a giant golden palace. Whilst they may not be great for the long-suffering subjects, these massive vanity projects certainly have a wow factor that should impress even the most cynical visitor.

The Basilica of of Our Lady of Peace: The world’s biggest Christian place of worship in Yamoussoukro, Côte d'Ivoire.

Palace of the Parliament in Bucharest, Romania: Dictator Nicolae Ceauşescu’s grand folly, for which he destroyed up to a fifth of his capital city.

Rungnado May Day Stadium, Pyongyang, North Korea: The biggest sporting arena in the world

Palace of Versailles in France: Louis XIV’s extravagant seat of government.

The Neutrality Arch in Ashgabat: A giant monument to Turkmenistan’s President For Life, Saparmurat Niyazov, complete with rotating gold statue.

Mafra National Palace, Portugal: The lavish palace, built with Brazilian gold, that almost bankrupted a nation.