Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Pakistan Karachi Asia's Largest Cross

Asia's Largest Cross

The bulletproof cross stands at the only operational Christian cemetery in Pakistan's most populated city.

Karachi, Pakistan

Added By
Jackson Hotaling
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
The giant cross.   Imran Ahmed / Alamy
Another (much smaller) cross in Karachi’s Gora Qabristan.   Muhammad Imran Saeed
Grave in the cemetery.   Aliraza Khatri
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

When Parvez Henry Gill woke up from a dream he claimed God appeared in, he realized it was his personal mission to “do something different” and help protect and inspire the Christians in Pakistan, a majority Muslim country.

Gill then financed and oversaw the construction of a 140-foot-tall cross that towers above the entrance to Karachi’s only operational Christian cemetery. When it was finished, the behemoth monument was touted as the largest cross in Asia.

Facing security concerns, Parvez did not tell even the workers the true nature of the project. They built a long squared column first, and added the outward arms of the cross toward the end of the project. When the true intent was discovered midway through construction, 20 workers quit the job. But not all of the workers stopped, making the final result a blend of Christian and Muslim efforts.

Gill claims the cross is bulletproof and can withstand any damage religiously intolerant vandals may subject it to. As it’s made of steel, iron, and cement, it does seem likely the cross will be able to continue standing tall and won’t come down easy.

The Gora Qabristan Cemetery (which roughly translated to “white man’s graveyard”), dates to the British colonial era. The cemetery itself is often vandalized and covered in garbage and is even home to an informal settlement situated on top of several dozens graves.

Related Tags

Crosses Religion Christianity Graveyards Cemeteries Burial Places Sacred Spaces

Community Contributors

Added By

jacksonhotaling

Edited By

Kerry Wolfe

  • Kerry Wolfe

Published

April 27, 2018

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/pakistans-biggest-city-has-unlikely-addition-to-skyline-14-story-christian-cross/2015/05/14/cc8cea3e-f268-11e4-bca5-21b51bbdf93e_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.7c89160123eb
  • https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/asias-biggest-cross-stands-tall-in-karachi/
  • https://www.dawn.com/news/1183333
  • https://tribune.com.pk/story/868879/representing-minorities-karachi-skyline-will-have-asias-largest-cross/
Asia's Largest Cross
Shahrah-e-Faisal Rd
Karachi
Pakistan
24.856081, 67.049809
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Mazar-e-Quaid

Karachi, Pakistan

miles away

Karachi Press Club

Karachi, Pakistan

miles away

Mumtaz Begum

Karachi, Pakistan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Karachi

Karachi

Pakistan

Places 6
Stories 3

Nearby Places

Mazar-e-Quaid

Karachi, Pakistan

miles away

Karachi Press Club

Karachi, Pakistan

miles away

Mumtaz Begum

Karachi, Pakistan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Karachi

Karachi

Pakistan

Places 6
Stories 3

Related Places

  • The new church, built in 1840.

    Glynn, Northern Ireland

    St. John's Church

    Local legend says there's treasure hidden within its crowded graveyard.

  • The grave of C.S. Lewis.

    Oxford, England

    C.S. Lewis's Grave

    The beloved fantasy novelist is buried near a church containing a whimsical etched glass window full of Narnia favorites.

  • Fetter Lane Moravian Burial Ground.

    London, England

    Fetter Lane Moravian Burial Ground

    Some of the earliest leaders of the Moravian congregation are buried here.

  • The medieval Church of Saint Nicholas.

    Ireland

    The Lost Town of Newtown Jerpoint (Jerpoint Park)

    Local legend says the remains of Father Christmas lie within the medieval grounds.

  • Carndonagh, Ireland

    Saint Patrick's High Cross

    This rare and ancient Christian relic is one of Ireland’s oldest freestanding stone crosses.

  • Warsaw, Poland

    Okopowa Street Jewish Cemetery

    The final resting place of more than 200,000 people, this is one of the largest cemeteries in Europe.

  • Post Mortem Chapel.

    Oaxaca, Mexico

    Post Mortem Chapel

    The ruins of an abandoned church mingle with the graves at Oaxaca’s General Cemetery.

  • Christ Church Shrewsbury.

    Shrewsbury, New Jersey

    Christ Church Shrewsbury

    One of New Jersey's oldest churches is a historical treasure trove.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.