SAEDNEWS: In this article, we wander through streets transformed by imaginative artists into strange and dreamlike worlds.
According to Saed News’ Society Desk, these are more than just murals—they are gateways to stories and imaginary worlds scattered across public spaces in many countries.
From whimsical illusions that draw you into rabbit holes to majestic scenes from centuries past, these artworks transport viewers to a world where “walls” become windows onto entirely different realities.
On this visual journey, you’ll encounter the chalky realms of Eduardo Relero’s paintings, the historic balconies of Carles Arola in Spain, underground marvels in London by Kurt Wenner, and a hotel façade in Poland—all of which exist only in artistic imagination.
These murals are not simply paintings; they are portals, narratives, and optical tricks spread throughout Europe and the Americas.
1. 3D Hotel, Wall Art, Łódź, Poland – Street Art
This trompe-l'œil mural covers the exterior of a building, creating the illusion of a luxurious hotel lobby: gilded ceilings, opulent chandeliers, sweeping staircases, and elegantly dressed guests. The interplay of architectural depth and lighting convinces viewers that the wall has split open, revealing another world.
2. Belgian Underground, Kurt Wenner, Brussels, Belgium – Street Art
This three-dimensional chalk mural on a sidewalk reimagines the London Underground. Alice slides toward the bottom of a pit alongside the White Rabbit, surrounded by a dreamlike crowd. Realistic shadows and perspective give the sensation of falling into a parallel world.
3. Historic Balconies, Carles Arola, Calonge, Spain – Street Art
This monumental mural transforms a stone façade into a detailed rural scene with balconies, local villagers, a white horse, and wine barrels in a cellar. Every element is blended with the stone texture to reinforce the illusion that it is all part of the original architecture.
4. Wall Transformation, Patrick Commese, Montpellier, France – Street Art
Before-and-after photos reveal how a blank wall becomes a lively apartment block: balconies, interacting residents, dogs, and plants. Vibrant colors and precise perspective simulate real structures. The mural is even viewable on Google Maps.
5. Space and Time, Eduardo Relero, Bochum, Germany – Street Art
This three-dimensional chalk illusion turns a sidewalk into a wrinkled bed, where two strange characters lie as if sleeping. A real person aligns perfectly with the painted scene. The artist’s dramatic use of perspective and humor gives the public space a theatrical quality.
6. Shattered Beach, John Pugh, Hermosa Beach, California – Street Art
This mural creates the illusion that part of the building has broken away, revealing a sunny beach scene where people lounge on towels, with a historic hotel in the background. Shadows and curved edges give the wall a sculptural, three-dimensional effect.
7. Mural, Eduardo Relero, Fiuggi, Italy – Street Art
A small yet striking mural depicts a man drinking coffee by a window. Its quality is so convincing that passersby pause in amazement. The subtle textures and perspective blur the line between reality and illusion.
8. Urban Transformation, CitéCréation, Lyon, France – Street Art
This enormous urban mural simulates surrounding architecture and city life. Painted stairs, balconies, windows, and climbing greenery make the original wall disappear entirely.
9. Wall Reconstruction, Arleta Kolasinska, Śródka, Poznań – Street Art
Before-and-after images show a blank white wall transformed into a colorful passage with building façades and architectural illusions. Fake windows, artificial depth, and everyday characters—including a man appearing to climb the wall—celebrate local heritage and enliven the space.
Whether creating fantastical worlds or reviving forgotten architecture, these illusionary murals transform flat surfaces into places full of depth, drama, and wonder. They go beyond beauty, altering the way we experience urban space, wall by wall.
