Piasa

Piasa is an archaeological site along the Mississippi in Illinois, known for a painted cliff face. The current depiction shows a winged creature with a red face, green scales, and a long tail curling around its body.

French explorers recorded the depiction in drawings in 1673 before quarry work removed the original rock painting around 1856. Several modern versions have been painted at different spots along the cliffs since the late 19th century.

The name comes from the Illini language and means „bird that devours men,

The cliff stands along the Great River Road north of Alton and remains visible from the road. A small parking area allows a brief stop for photos, with the best view from the roadside.

The original depiction stood about two miles (three kilometers) upriver from the current version. Today's visitors see a reproduction designed from 17th-century descriptions, as no photographs of the original exist.

Location: Illinois

GPS coordinates: 38.89780,-90.19900

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:41