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What Is a Mural? The Biggest Paintings in the World!


Crowd taking photos of the Mona Lisa in a museum, with ornate paintings in the background. People hold phones, creating an excited atmosphere.

Art is all around us—not just on canvases but also on walls, ceilings, and even entire buildings! These massive artworks, called murals, are some of the biggest and most stunning paintings in the world. Murals tell stories, celebrate cultures, and add beauty to public spaces. But what exactly is a mural, and where can you find some of the world’s largest and most impressive ones? Let’s explore!

What Is a Mural?

A mural is a painting or artwork created directly on a wall, ceiling, or any large surface. Unlike paintings on canvas, murals become part of the space they are created in. Artists often use special paints, sprays, or even tiles and mosaics to make murals.

Murals can be found in public places like streets, schools, museums, and temples. Some murals are created to share important messages, while others are made just for their beauty.

The Biggest and Most Famous Murals in the World

  • The Sistine Chapel Ceiling, Vatican City: One of the most famous murals in the world is inside the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. It was painted by Michelangelo in the 16th century. The mural covers the entire ceiling and tells stories from the Bible, including the famous scene of God creating Adam.

  • The Great Wall of Los Angeles, USA: Stretching over 2,754 feet (840 meters), the Great Wall of Los Angeles is one of the longest murals in the world. It was created by artist Judy Baca and her team of young artists. The mural tells the history of different communities in Los Angeles.

  • The Ajanta Cave Murals, India: India is home to some of the oldest and most beautiful murals. The Ajanta Caves, built more than 2,000 years ago, have murals that depict stories from the life of Buddha. These paintings were made with natural dyes and still amaze people today.

  • Cerro Condor Hill Mural, Argentina: One of the world’s largest murals is painted on Cerro Condor Hill in Argentina. Covering 45,000 square meters, this mural blends with nature and can only be seen clearly from the sky!

Why Are Murals Important?

Murals do more than just decorate spaces—they bring people together and make cities more beautiful. Here’s why murals matter:

Tell Stories: Many murals show historical events, legends, or cultural traditions.🎨 Inspire Creativity: Seeing art on streets and buildings encourages more people to explore art.

Beautify Public Spaces: Murals make cities colorful and lively.

Spread Messages: Many murals raise awareness about social or environmental issues.

Create Your Own Mural!

Want to make your own mural? Here are some fun ideas for kids:

  • Wall Art at Home: Use watercolors or paper cutouts to decorate your room’s walls.

  • Collage Mural: Make a mural using colorful paper pieces and glue them on a large board.

  • Sidewalk Chalk Art: Draw a temporary mural outside using sidewalk chalk!

    Join the Children’s Art Museum of India!

At Children’s Art Museum of India (CAMI), we encourage kids to explore their creativity through art. Our platform allows young artists to showcase their artwork, participate in contests, and learn about different art forms.

Do you love big, bold paintings? Create your own mural-inspired artwork and share it with us at CAMI! Visit our website to explore art activities, submit your paintings, and be part of a creative community.


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