Michael Wisniewski Tunnel Mural, Rytterbakken

A quiet burst of colour beneath Rytterbakken

Tucked under a residential stretch of Helsingør, the tunnel between Rytterbakken and the school by Rønnebær Allé looks, at first glance, like any pedestrian underpass. Step inside, though, and the concrete shell gives way to a continuous mural by Danish artist Michael Wisniewski, part of the Vapnagaard tunnel art series. Here, what might have been a purely functional shortcut becomes a self-contained world of imagery that unfolds as you walk. The tunnels are low, elongated and slightly echoing, so the painted walls surround you at close range. Colours sit right at eye level, and every few steps reveal another cluster of leaves, seeds or animals. You are not just passing a mural on a distant façade; you are walking through it.

Nature stories in a concrete passage

Wisniewski’s work in Vapnagaard is naturalistic and rich in small details from the surrounding environment. Birds, insects, plants and shifting skies appear in layered scenes that echo the greenery outside the tunnel entrances. The motifs reference the local landscape, but they also stretch further, suggesting connections to a wider, shared nature. Central to the mural is the dandelion, painted in different stages of its life cycle: bright yellow flowers, jagged leaves and globes of seeds caught in a breeze. As the images progress, those floating seeds thread the walls together, moving from one scene to the next, hinting at journeys, migration and quiet resilience.

A dandelion as a symbol of connection

The choice of the dandelion is more than decorative. It is a plant that grows almost everywhere, on roadsides, in lawns and between paving stones, and is used here as a subtle symbol of people spread across the world yet linked by something familiar. Within the context of Vapnagaard’s diverse community, the image can be read as a gentle nod to many origins sharing the same ground. The mural was created in connection with the 50th anniversary of Vapnagaard, tying the artwork to a specific moment in the district’s story. The tunnels, often perceived as grey or utilitarian, are reimagined as places where everyday life and quiet symbolism meet, making the anniversary visible in daily routines.

Walking through a painted sanctuary

As you follow the painting along the underpasses, the repetition of natural motifs creates a sense of calm. The traffic sounds above are muted; instead you notice brushstrokes, colour gradients and small, almost hidden creatures in the corners. Children on their way to school may spot new elements each day, while commuters can treat the walk as a brief visual pause. Light from each end of the tunnel marks the start and finish of the artwork, but the story is continuous, encouraging you to traverse both underpasses to understand the full piece. The walls invite close inspection, rewarding anyone who slows down long enough to trace how the dandelion seeds drift from one scene into the next.

Street art woven into daily routes

This work is part of a broader programme that brings site-specific murals to Helsingør, especially around Vapnagaard’s tunnels. Rather than isolated attractions, these pieces are integrated into ordinary walking paths, used by residents, students and visitors moving between housing blocks, schools and green spaces. Here, the value lies in repetition. The mural is designed to be seen again and again, at different times of day and in shifting weather. On a bright afternoon the colours feel crisp; on a grey morning the tunnel’s interior glows more warmly than the sky outside. Over time, the artwork becomes a familiar presence, subtly shaping how the area is experienced and remembered.