Gettysburgh Cyclorama

I learnt a lot today. First of all I now know what a cyclorama is - a 360 degree panoramic painting. This one is of the Battle of Gettysburg, a turning point in the American Civil War. I also learnt a lot of American history to add to my almost none existent knowledge.

What is staggering about this cyclorama is its size - 42 x 377 feet. It is enormous. But then there is its content. Men battling for their heart felt principles. Facing gruesome death because cowardice is worse. This painting depicts it all. War is not glorious here. It is a brutal struggle.

At the highest level, this war was for an honourable cause - the abolition of slavery and indeed was an important part of that. It is a shame we have to resort to killing and maiming each other for any struggle, however well principled.

I have to say that the Gettysburg National Military Park have done an amazing job of interpreting the battle field and offer very well informed guides. The battle field and all its memorials dedicated to both sides of the conflict are preserved in honour of those who fell.