Giant Wooden Bull Sculpture May Soon Stand at Oberalp Pass in Switzerland
Sayart
sayart2022@gmail.com | 2025-08-14 16:07:59
A massive wooden bull sculpture that has become the centerpiece attraction at Switzerland's Federal Wrestling and Alpine Festival could soon find a permanent home at the Oberalp Pass. The spectacular 21-meter-high wooden structure, known as "Muni Max," has captured widespread attention and generated significant interest from various tourist destinations across the country.
Muni Max is an impressive feat of craftsmanship, measuring 21 meters in height, 36 meters in length, 10 meters in width, and weighing a staggering 182 tons. The wooden sculpture currently stands at the festival grounds of the Federal Wrestling and Alpine Festival (Esaf) in Mollis, in the canton of Glarus, where it serves as a major attraction alongside the traditional wrestling competitions. The construction of this remarkable piece involved approximately 220 different companies and is crafted entirely from Swiss wood, making it a true masterpiece of artisanal craftsmanship.
According to the project description, Max was created with multiple objectives in mind: to promote collaboration between different industries, preserve traditional crafts, and make the professions in forestry and wood industry more visible to the public. The sculpture represents a significant effort to showcase Switzerland's rich woodworking heritage and the skills of its craftspeople.
Several destinations have already expressed strong interest in acquiring the wooden bull as a permanent tourist attraction after the festival concludes. Among the interested parties is Andermatt, with Egyptian investor Samih Sawiris reportedly wanting to position Max as the "Uri Bull" at the Oberalp Pass. Fritz Rutz, the project initiator, confirmed this interest in statements to the St. Galler Tagblatt newspaper.
The massive wooden structure will be sold to the highest bidder after the festival ends, with a starting price of 1.5 million Swiss francs. The sale proceeds are intended to help the festival organizers break even financially, ensuring the event concludes with a balanced budget. The substantial price tag reflects both the craftsmanship involved and the sculpture's potential value as a tourist attraction.
Once the festival concludes, Muni Max will undergo a careful disassembly process, being taken apart into its 437 individual components. This methodical breakdown will allow for the sculpture's transportation to its new permanent location, where it will be reassembled to serve as a long-term tourist magnet and cultural landmark.
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