Tunnel Mural, Columbia

A Columbia icon since its creation, Tunnelvision鈥攁lso known as the Tunnel Mural鈥攊s a monumental 50 x 75-foot trompe-l'艙il painting that transforms an ordinary downtown wall into a surreal portal to another world. Created by local artist Blue Sky, the mural is designed to appear as a naturalistic tunnel, as if a craggy road is cutting straight through the wall and leading toward a distant moonlit landscape.

This illusion of depth is so striking that it has stopped pedestrians in their tracks鈥攁nd occasionally made drivers double-take. Using the trompe-l'艙il technique, which tricks the eye into perceiving a three-dimensional scene on a flat surface, Blue Sky achieved a level of realism that continues to impress decades after its original creation.

Inspired by a dream, Tunnelvision is part of Blue Sky鈥檚 legacy of large-scale public art in Columbia, which includes other head-turning works like Busted Plug Plaza and Neverbust Chain. The artist continues to touch up and enhance the mural over time, ensuring that its sense of mystery and realism doesn鈥檛 fade but grows even stronger.

Conveniently located in the same parking lot as Busted Plug, Tunnelvision offers a two-for-one dose of Columbia鈥檚 unique urban art. It鈥檚 a beloved photo spot, a curious local legend, and鈥攊f you're not careful鈥攁 very convincing invitation to take a detour into another dimension.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Columbia. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Tunnel Mural
Sight Location: Columbia, USA (See walking tours in Columbia)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Columbia Introduction Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Columbia, South Carolina

Create Your Own Walk in Columbia

Creating your own self-guided walk in Columbia is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Historical Houses and Buildings Walk

Columbia is a city rich in history and architectural heritage, boasting an array of old-time buildings that offer a window into its storied past. From grand antebellum mansions and elegant townhouses to significant public edifices and modest residences, each of these structures tells a unique story, reflecting the diverse cultural, social, and economic tapestry of the city.

Among such, the... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles

Columbia Introduction Walking Tour

Columbia, the capital and largest city of South Carolina is a treasure trove of historical significance, cultural wealth, and Southern charm. The city's history is marked by its role in the American Civil War. This historical backdrop sets the stage for Columbia鈥檚 many landmarks and educational institutions that speak volumes of its resilience and cultural evolution.

In May 1540, a... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles

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