If you’ve ever walked through Cinderella Castle in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, you’ve likely noticed the stunning mosaic that lines the breezeway. The intricate work of art tells the story of Cinderella, from her forced servitude to her happily ever after.

And like most things at Disney World, there is more detail than you’d ever imagine! Here are a few of our favorite little things that will make this one-of-a-kind work of art even more impressive.

Six Things You Didn’t Know About Disney’s Most Iconic Piece of Art

1. The five mural panels are each 15 feet high. In total, there are more than 300,000 pieces — some tiles are genuine sterling silver and 14k gold!

2. Color also helps tell the story – more than 500 colors were used. Additionally, Anastasia and Drizella are always seen as “green with envy” and “red with rage”.

3. It was designed by Dorothea Redmond, an Imagineer who previously worked on sets for Gone with the Wind and some Hitchcock films. Her Disney credits include helping design the Plaza Inn and New Orleans Square in Disneyland and watercolor concept work for Adventureland and Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom as well as Fort Wilderness.

4. It was made by Hans Scharff, a German mosaic artist. He took Dorothea’s dreamy design and made it reality! Prior to being an artist, he was a master-interrogator during World War II. Both Redmond and Scharff are credited on the mosaic.

5. The Footman and Grand Duke are designed after Herb Ryman and John Hench, the two men who made the Castle possible.

Herb Ryman (footman) was an incredible artist, and he drew the very first concept art for both Sleeping Beauty Castle and Cinderella Castle. There’s a great story about how he and Walt spent an entire weekend locked in their offices so Herb could draw all of Walt’s visions before the investor meeting Roy had scheduled on Monday. Obviously, he nailed it.

John Hench (Grand Duke) is the architect behind basically any iconic Disney structure, including Cinderella Castle and Space Mountain. He was also Mickey’s official portrait artist for many of his iconic birthday years — 25, 50, 60, 70, and 75.

6. The columns show Cindy’s little friends! This concept starts here in the Castle breezeway and continues up to the Cinderella Castle Suite.

What’s your favorite detail in the Cinderella Castle Mosaic? Share in the comments!

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