Information
Landmark: Mural de la PrehistoriaCity: Pinar del Rio
Country: Cuba
Continent: North America
Mural de la Prehistoria, Pinar del Rio, Cuba, North America
Overview
The Mural de la Prehistoria, a towering splash of color across limestone cliffs, stands in the Viñales Valley of Pinar del Río in western Cuba.This towering mural ranks among the largest anywhere, blending bold strokes of color with stories from Cuba’s past and the soul of its culture.Perched on the limestone face of the Sierra de los Órganos, just three kilometers from Viñales, the Mural de la Prehistoria stretches an astonishing 120 meters across and rises 80 meters high, its bold reds, blues, and greens blazing against the valley’s soft green hills.Painted in 1961 by Cuban artist Leovigildo González near the village of Dos Hermanas, it was part of a project celebrating the Cuban Revolution while honoring the island’s natural and historical roots.The sweeping scene traces life’s story-from the first tiny organisms to towering dinosaurs, shaggy mammoths, and early humans-making it easy to spot a great horned dinosaur or a club-wielding caveman from the roadside.You can drive right up or join a guided tour to hear the full tale behind this colossal piece.The mural begins with vivid scenes of early life on the planet-tiny sea creatures gliding through blue waters-before moving through the ages to land animals and, finally, human figures, including a Cuban aboriginal man.Later sections celebrate the dawn of agriculture with golden ears of corn, green tobacco leaves, and symbols of the region’s farming heritage.Cuba’s indigenous roots appear throughout, honoring native peoples as the first cultivators of crops like tobacco, a tradition still central to the island’s culture and economy.The artwork weaves together ancient history, the birth of agriculture, and the nation’s revolutionary spirit, reflecting pride in progress and growth.Monumental in both scale and color, the Mural de la Prehistoria fuses history, politics, and the natural beauty of the Viñales Valley into a single striking vision.Visitors take it in from a hillside, the massive painting framed by tobacco fields and sheer mogote cliffs, often with a guide sharing the layers of meaning behind every brushstroke.Some tours might take you out to the nearby tobacco fields, where the scent of drying leaves ties the mural’s farming scenes to the crop’s ongoing role in the region.Bring your camera-the Mural de la Prehistoria and the sweeping green valley around it make for striking shots.The soft glow of early morning or the golden light of late afternoon makes for the best photos, with the sun washing the hills in warm amber.In Viñales Valley, beyond the famous mural, you’ll find tobacco fields, the cool depths of Cueva del Indio, and a mix of cultural and natural wonders.Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the area invites you to hike dusty trails, ride horseback through green fields, and discover Cuba’s farming traditions.Just minutes away, Cueva del Indio winds into the earth, its cool underground river ready to explore by boat.From the Mirador de los Jazmines, you can take in sweeping views of the Viñales Valley and the mountains beyond.The mural is open year-round, but it’s best to visit while the sun’s still up.You can usually join a guided tour from early morning until the light fades in late afternoon, and there’s a small entrance fee-about the price of a cup of coffee-to get in.The cost depends on whether you hire a guide or explore on your own.Bring comfortable shoes-you’ll be walking over uneven stone paths-a camera for the vivid murals, sunscreen and a hat to block the midday glare, and plenty of water if you plan to hike.The Mural de la Prehistoria isn’t just striking public art; it’s a vibrant emblem of Cuba’s cultural and natural heritage.In the sweeping green folds of Viñales Valley, visitors can wander through the nation’s story, from ancient cave drawings to the earthy scent of freshly cured tobacco leaves.Standing before this towering mural, you can feel Cuba’s history and present meet, with the lush green hills and warm breeze wrapping the moment in the region’s beauty.
