Cyclorama, Atlanta

It's kind of hard to explain but it is a Mural designed to be viewed in the round. You sit in what is like a theatre but the seats move around the painting. The painting itself is of the civil war battle of Atlanta.

The Cyclorama should interest any Civil War fans or even Panorama painting fans---a huge Panorama painting surrounding a central platform---incredibly detailed and an old standard must-see for visitors to Atlanta. Advertised as the Largest Painting in the World.
Tues-Sat 9:15-4:30
$10 adults

One of the many wonders to see in the city, this is a landmark for years. I first came here in 1977, and it still is a site to behold. The theme is a mural surrounding the whole room, and you of the Civil War battle of Atlanta. It is the world's largest oil painting and the mural circles around you. Tour is about 30 minutes, and they have a short film to accompany. The mural was painted in 18th century and housed in a new building as of 1921. Severe damage caused a shut down 1979-82, and then restarted.
Price is $7.00 for adults, and $6.00 seniors, $5.00 children.

The Cyclorama is part of Atlanta's Civil War Museum. OK, it's the main part of the museum. You can go through the museum, located in Grant Park, in no more than an hour. The Cyclorama itself is something to be seen.

It's a circular painting, 42 feet high and 358 feet long. Yes, it's HUGE! The Cyclorama tells the story of the Battle of Atlanta in 1864, which turned the tide of the American Civil War to the Union. To see it, you're brought into an auditorium. The painting is all around you, and the auditorium seating rotates 360 degrees as recorded narration tells the story of this epic battle. There's so much fine detail to this painting. That, combined with the narration, makes it feel like you're right in the battle.

The painting itself was completed by a team of artists in 1886. It's been in Atlanta since 1893. Interestingly, it was originally developed as part of a political campaign. One of the battle's participants was running for high office and had this painting commissioned. He died before it's completion though. Now, the Cyclorama is a part of the telling of Atlanta's history.

No picture taking of the painting is allowed; my piccie is of the museum's exterior. I don't think a couple of digital photos would do it justice though. You must see it to believe it, and I strongly encourage you to do that.

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"The 1864 Battle of Atlanta can still be experienced at the Cyclorama. Presented as a three-dimensional panorama with music and narration, the painting of the Battle of Atlanta forever captures a pivotal moment in the history of our nation. Visitors encounter the drama of an absorbing human story that took place on a hot July day in 1864.

The major feature of the Cyclorama is the massive painting in the round and three-dimensional diorama. The two-story building also contains a museum with a fascinating collection of Civil War artifacts, weapons, displays, maps and photographs. Several touch screen computers trace the daily action of the war on all fronts during the Union Army's advance through Georgia. Audio translations for the "Battle of Atlanta" program are available in French, German, Spanish, and Japanese."

Open daily, visitors can see a Cyclorama show every 30 minutes from 9:00am to 4:30pm.

*Private shows and receptions are available. If you need more information call 404-658-7625, 404-624-1071.

When I first heard of the Cyclorama, I was somewhat skeptical.... "so you sit in a room that spins around a painting"?

Well, to say the least, I was pleasantly surprised. The Cyclorama was built in 1894, making it one of the oldest attractions of its kind in the country. It is a huge diorama built in a complete 360 degree circle. The background is comprised of a beautiful painting that also covers 360 degrees. The diorama and the background are brilliantly blended together to give the impression of a true 3-dimensional battlefield stretching into the distance. As a spectator, you are seated in stadium-style seating that allows you to view about 90 degrees of the circle at one time. Throughout the show, the seating area slowly rotates the entire way around the inside of the building as the story unfolds.

The theme of the Cyclorama is the Civil War, particularly the battle of Atlanta. As the seating area turns, you hear about the battle, as spotlights draw your attention to important areas of the battlefield. You will see infantry charges, men dying in the trenches, and farm houses on fire. The music and sound effects add to the event.

The Cyclorama is next to the zoo. They fill the rotating seats with people and begin to tell the story of Atlanta during the Civil War. You can hardly tell where the painting on the back of the wall and the actual stage meet. It is a great history lesson.

The painting/diorama was commissioned by Major Gen. Logan's for his bid for presidency. He died before it's completion. Thepainting was bought by a circus which went bankrupt, the animals became the atlanta zoo. The painting was eventually given to the city of Atlanta and became the cyclorama. The panoramoic painting tells the story of the Battle of Atlanta. You sit on a rotating platform and watch as the story unfolds for various parts of the picture. It is a sight to see even for non Civil war buffs. Nice Educational experience for children, except if they are too young and start cryiing. Try to pick out the character that was placed there from gone with the wind. No photo are allowed even without flash, which sucks. That is why there are no pics of the painting here.

Even if you are not particularly interested in the Civil War, the Atlanta Cyclorama is worth a visit. It contains the largest oil painting in the world: 42 feet high, 358 feet in circumference and weighs over 9,000 pounds. It is hung in a circle and observed from a rotating platform with narration of the Battle of Atlanta depicted in the painting. At the base of the painting all the way around is a diorama with 128 figures, cannon, trees and railroad tracks which are done in such a way that it is difficult to tell where it ends and the painting begins. It was done in 1883 to promoted Major Gen. Logan's campaign for the presidency but he died and the painting became part of a traveling exhibit which included a circus. When in Atlanta in the 1890's the painting was purchased and given to the city and the animals went into the zoo which is just next door to the Cyclorama building. The painting was done by a group of German, Austrian and Polish artists in Milwaukee. Some of the places in the painting are in the nearby area of Grant Park, home of the Cyclorama.

In the quiet twilight of the Cyclorama amphitheatre, distant strains of stirring signal that beginning of a fascinating journey through time to the events of July 22, 1864. When the lights come up, you are at the center of a sweeping panorama of a fierce battle accompanied by music and narration. Viewed from the unique vantage point of a revolving platform, the Cyclorama of the Battle of Atlanta is so realistic you will feel you are a part of the conflict.