5 Beautiful Mosaics You Never Knew Existed
(3 min read) For lovers of culture and travel, historical art around the world is a huge attraction, from the gorgeous renaissance arts of Florence, Italy, to the awe-striking murals of Michelangelo. However, some globe-trotters overlook one of the most beautiful, culture-rich art forms of all, the Mosaic Art.
Here are some of the most enchanting (and surprisingly unknown) Mosaic artworks around the world that you’ll be sure to want to scribble on your bucket list!
1. The biblical beauty of Ravenna, Italy
Dating back to the 5th and 6th centuries, at a time when Ravenna was at the heart of the Western Roman Empire. The cities trademark murals have much more than history to offer. Situated in three churches, the Basilica of Sant’ Apollinare Nuovo, the Sant’ Apollinare in Classe and the Basilica of San Vitale look proudly out over their heritage-rich city depicting biblical scenes. This striking, haunting mosaic artwork has secured a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
2. The Playful Colours Of Parc Güell, Barcelona, Spain
One of Antoni Gaudi’s hypnotic works is Parc Güell, an example of the mastery of mosaic crafts. Overlooking the bustling city of Barcelona, Spain. The early 20th century artist designed the park, with the bold and winding tile murals, spacious terraces and exquisite mosaicked fountains. An intricately abstract and colourful fusion of pattern and shape serve as public benches and walls, concluding with a mesmerizing tile dragon at the base of the stairs.
3. New York City Subway, New York, USA
The emergence of mosaic wall art in city subways was thanks to architect and artist Squire Vickers in the early 20th century, who committed to making the busy, fast-paced walkways a little more beautiful. Over 226 artworks of varying genres can be found in NY subway today, reminding us to slow down and absorb the beauty of the everyday every once in a while.
4. La Maison Picassiette, Chartres, France
The uniquely embellished little cottage; La Maison Picassiette in Chartres, France was constructed with the love and dedication of Raymond Isidore between 1938 and 1964, who adorned his home with thousands of pieces of ceramic tile. The quaint yet striking house welcomes 30,000 visitors per year to admire the endearing mosaic artwork.
5. The Cosmati Pavement, Westminster Abbey, London, UK
Westminister Abbey in London, UK is known for its grand stature and variety of historical art and The Cosmati Pavement is no exception, the vast 24sqft floor depicting the demise of the universe was constructed in the 13th century with the rarest glass, gemstones and marble; inspired by the Pope’s Roman décor. ‘Cosmati’ comes from the name of a famous Roman family renowned for their sculpture, architecture and geometric floor mosaics.
Are you inspired to book a plane ticket and see the gorgeous feats of marble and tile that the world has to offer?
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79 Comments
I’ve visited the Guell and Westminster ones but had no idea about the dogs, they look amazing too!
Love these places. Such a beautiful way to blend art and architecture.
Love Barcelona and its architecture, and I couldn’t believe some mosaics remained when I visited Pompeii in Italy.
I’ve never been to Pompeii but i’ve heard so much about its remaining mosaics, can’t wait to see it in person.
I absolutely adore mosaic art. It has the quality about it that no other art form has. It’s the feel of the sum equally far more than the parts.
Ravenna has incredible mosaics from the Byzantine era that take your breath away!
These mosaics are amazing. We love the colorful ones from Spain.
The photos of weimarainers makes my heart swell.I have one sleeping next to me a we speak haha
the animal ones kill me, so funny but so creative!
wow they’re incredible aren’t they! I’ve the Westminster Abbey and Barcelona ones – love the dogs they’re so cool!
Wow. Great list you have here. especially the outside of a cathedral like structure. I won’t know that it is a mosaic if I have not read the title.
I love all the details in the artwork; it’s very spectacular! The dogs are so real looking too!
I would love to see any one of these; they must have taken ages to complete. Just beautiful!
those ones in france look incredible! it’s just so gorgeous. I also love the dog portraits. such talent.
These are amazing works of art. I love that a house is made out of mosaics.
Such a great read! Thanks for sharing all your knowledge. Those dog photos are amazing, haha. Love it
Wow! I love mosaics so much! These are so beautiful and colorful!!! Very cool.
I am SO INSPIRED! Not only do I want to hop on a plane and visit all of these places right now, but I am also so curious how long it would take me to make a smaller version to keep in my home!
I have seen Westminster Abbey and I loved it! The dog ones are my fav!
Wow.. I want to see the last one in person! I guess I need to schedule a trip to London sometime!
The NY subway does have some interesting art. Hopefully I’ll have a chance to see some of these in person when qe visit spain.
All of these are breathtaking. There is something so special about mosaics, I love looking at them!
I wonder how much of time you must have spent in finding out these amazing pieces. Dog art is intriguing. I specifically liked the work in France which is very fascinating.
I would love to see all these mosaics art. Thanks for sharing. The subway art is looking outstanding. I already bookmarked this post
Yeah the William Wegman reproductions are my favorite, so cool.
This is so marvelous and very mesmerizing. I love architecture and this is one of the best that I’ve encounter so far. Each design is so detail and alive.
I didn’t know all of them but I knew Antoni Gaudi’s mosaic artwork. I was in Barcelona last December and pay a visit to some of his art houses. Wow, I can tell you the queue is so long.
I know! I was there two years ago, loved it!
Wow! I love the mosaics with the dogs! Very fun and unique!
Shoot now I have a bucket list of mosaics on top of my bucket list of travel destinations. These are beautiful. I have seen the ones in Barcelona, but not the others listed. Thank you for sharing
Such amazing work! Each one is so stunning! Love this! Thanks for sharing these 🙂
Such amazing work! Each one is so stunning and special! Love this! Thanks for sharing these ?
how lovely to share this i love the subway mosaic the most
wow, absolutely beautiful and unique mosaics artwork and construction! I love the dog one haha
I’m such a mosaic lover. Just thinking about the amount of time and patience and planning it takes…
#4 is simply gorgeous! It kind of reminds of the Geode Grotto in Jasper, Indiana that I visited last year, which is a tribute to the grottos in Lourdes, France.
I’ve never seen the Geode Grotto before, I will check it out for sure. Thank you so much for the tip.
Love your choice of five beautiful mosaics. Amazing photographs with detailed info.
So much talent has gone into these. They’re absolutely gorgeous. I would love to visit some of these places one day to see them in real life.
Oh wow, these are absolutely stunning! Mosaic art is so beautiful and I love checking them out.
Wow! This is so amazing! So beautiful that I can’t take my eyes off of them. Thank you for sharing.
I love the color scheme of these mosaic pictures..
These mosaics look amazing. I can just imagine how beautiful they look in person.
The only place I knew was Barcelona, the others are amazing too !!
All of these are so stunning! The New York one is unique in its own right. But I particularly love the one in France.
I have been to 4 out of 5 of these, wow…I am in shock haha. What’s funny is that I am American and the only one i’m missing is the NY one haha
LMAO!!! This is so funny. Well, now you gotta score that perfect 5 and trust me it’s a must.
These amazing work of art are really magnificent especially the dogs photo. Thank you so much for sharing a glimpse of these arts.
I LOVE NYC subway art. (I was born and raised there so I might be biased. lol.) I haven’t yet visited any of these other places, but any place that appreciates art is worth the trip.
You’re not biased at all, NYC subway mosaics are GORGEOUS!!!
Mosaics are such a cool form of art and I really haven’t seen that many in person. This is a great list and the dogs are my favorite!!
I have always loved this type of art. All the vibrant colors and artistic expression!
Oh wow! I’ve been wanting to go to Barcelona for a long time but now I feel like I need to go visit all of these places!!
If you haven’t been to Barcelona before you’re gonna LOVE IT!!
Wow, all of this mosaic artwork was gorgeous. It makes me want to go there and see them personally.
The biblical place of Ravenna, Italy is one of the places I would love to visit! They look so cool!
We visited Parc Güell in 2012 and just loved it. The colours are so bright and the sculptures are so surreal. Love the rest of the pieces on your list.
I went there a couple of years ago, didn’t wanna leave!
Everything is amazingly beautiful but one catches my eyes and that was The Cosmati Pavement, Westminster Abbey in London, UK.
Yeah this one is a must-see for sure but as you said, they’re all so beautiful.
Everything you have featured deserves a second look but I would most like to visit Ravenna, Italy and see that in person. What a beautiful sight that must be.
I just love how stunning that artwork. I wish I could go to those places and see them.
I like the mosaic plus the colors. It was such an astonishing place.
I have a fascination with mosaic work and would love to visit these places and see them in person.
I must agree, it is all beautiful. These mosaics are very detailed, too much patience is required to make these arts.
When you think about the amount of work that went into creating these pieces it is truly inspiring. I’m going to look for those dog murals next time I’m in NYC. I love Wegman’s work.
Those mosaics in Spain look absolutely incredible. I know I would love to visit there someday.
Love the pavements in Westminster, but the dogs really blew me away – they are amazing. Will definitely try to make something with all the tiles from my kitchen!
These works of art are beautiful! I never seen them before thank you for sharing. I really enjoyed them
The mosaic artwork is absolutely stunning. I wish they still put as much effort and intricacy today. Beautiful post..thanks for sharing!
We’re big fans of modern mosaic art especially when laid on sculptures! Great selection here x
oh wow! pieces like these really make you appreciate the artistry behind mosaics!
These are all so very pretty. I love how mosiacs look and turn out! They are always so unique and fascinating.
I have always wondered how these mosaics have been made ever since the few centuries. I love how it speaks for the history of the place and the events of the place for itself. Lovely mosaics!
Parc Güell is so wonderful, I love the mosaics and everything about it. The NY metro mosaics are truly inspiring and so fun.
These are amazing works of art. I wish I would visit there someday.
So many fantastic works of art in mosaic! I have visited all of them except the cottage in France, of which I didn’t know the existence!
These mosaics are beyond breathtaking. I specially loved the dogs in New York. Thanks for sharing!
These mosaics are absolutely beautiful. I would love to see them in person, thanks for the list.
I love different expressions of art. They really draw me in. These mosaics were completely fascinating works of art.