Impressive Mosaics from Around the World

Europe

Serbia

St George’s Church, Topola, Serbia

St. George's Church sits high on a hill near the central Serbian town of Topola. It is also a mausoleum for 28 members of the Karadjordjevic Dynasty.

The impressive mosaics in the interior were made with millions of tiles made of Murano glass in more than 15,000 color shades. They were created by Russian artists based on frescoes copied from medieval monasteries across Serbia.

Russia

Metro Moscow, Russia

The amazing metro staions in Moscow, Russia were built as "Palaces to the People". These have become the largest underground art galleries in the world, With high, vaulted ceilings, lit by chandeliers you can fine artworks made of glass, marble, and granite mosaics. The mosaics pay homage to workers, soldiers, farmers, and students in sports, industry, agriculture, and warfare.

Kalta Minor Minaret, Khiva, Uzbekistan

Kalta Minor Minaret is barrel-shaped standing in the Silk Road City of Khiva. It is decorated with glazed tile and majolica, a type of pottery in brilliant hues of deep azure and turquoise. The minaret towers above the Sayid Alauddin Mausoleum.

Italy

Monreale Cathedral, Palermo, Italy

Monreale Cathedral is 800-years-old located in Palermo. The interior features breathtaking mosaics, made from glass tiles, most of them gold. When light streams through the stained glass windows the interior seems to glow. The highlight is the mosaic of Christ Pantocrator (pictured above) created by Venetian and Muslim craftsmen in the 12th century.

Basilica of San Vitale, Ravenna, Italy

The Basilica of San Vitale is decorated with lovely intricate mosaics that tell a story from the Old Testament.

They are considered to be among the most important surviving examples of early Christian Byzantine art and architecture.

Villa Romana del Casale, Sicily, Italy

Villa Romana del Casale is located in the hills of Sicily. It was a luxurious Roman home, built in the early fourth century. Excavations between 1929 and 1960 revealed 4,200 sq yards of the richest, largest, and varied collections of Roman mosaics in the world.

The most famous depicts bikini-clad women partaking in sports like weightlifting and discus throwing.

Spain

Parc Güell, Barcelona, Spain

Parc Guell in Barcelona had lovely mosaics created on Carmel Hill by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi.

The park features sweeping walls, surreal benches, and mythical creatures, all covered in colorful mosaics. Parc Güell is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Asia

Jordan

Madaba Map, Jordan

The Madaba Map is oldest cartographic depiction of the Holy Land in the world. This is a floor mosaic seen at the early Byzantine Church of St. George in the ancient town of Madaba.

The map focuses on the city of Jerusalem and dates back to the 6th century. The Madaba Map was discovered when the new Greek Orthodox Church was built on the site in 1884.

Thailand

Wat Phra Kaew, Bangkok, Thailand

War Phra Kaew is the most scared Buddhist temple in Thailand. It is famous for its pavilions, prangs, and statues of mythological creatures decorated with glass and porcelain mosaics.

United Arab Emirates

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque features colored tiles and white marble low-relief. The floral mosaics border the main square offering a splash of color against the all white structure. The mosaics were designed by British artist Kevin Dean, who called upon his experience creating floral motifs for Laura Ashley and providing botanic illustrations for children’s books, to make these enchanting mosaics bloom.

Vietnam

Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Mural, Vietnam

Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Mural was created to celebrate the Millennial Anniversary of Hanoi in 2010. The mural decorates the walls of the Red River dike system. It stretches for more than four miles and is the longest mosaic in the world.

It features scenes from from Vietnamese mythology and Hanoi’s history and reflects the different artistic styles from different periods. The tiles were made in Bát Tràng, a nearby village famous for its ceramics.

North America

The US

Magic Gardens Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In Philadelphia famous South Street is renowned for its impressive, multi-colored street art. Street artists have transformed abandoned buildings into works of art. Local artist Isaiah Zager created a work of art with recyclable materials such as glass bottles. He reformed a storefront into a sculpture park with many colorful designs leading up staircase and along alleyways. His artwork is now protected by Magic Gardens, a non-profit organisation .