A historic wall mural depicting the founding legend of Kastanienbaum in Horw, Switzerland, has been restored to its former glory after suffering over 30 years of weather damage. Two professional art restorers, Miriam Holstvoogd and Petra Domčíková, along with carpenter Albert Bachmann, spent several weeks working on the extensive restoration project, which cost approximately 100,000 Swiss francs ($100,000).
The mural had been severely damaged by decades of exposure to the elements, suffering from mold growth and structural deterioration. The restoration initiative was spearheaded by Bodo Senfft, who organized the complex financing for the project. The costs were shared among the municipality of Horw, private donors, and Eawag, the organization that owns the building where the mural is located.
The wall painting was originally created 32 years ago by artist Marcel Nuber on the facade of the Eawag boathouse. The artwork depicts the founding legend of Kastanienbaum, a charming tale that explains how the location got its name. According to the legend, many years ago, two Italian travelers stopped at a local farm on their way to Lucerne, exhausted from their journey.
The weary travelers asked a local farm woman for a meal and a place to stay for the night. In gratitude for her hospitality, they gave her two chestnuts from their homeland as a token of appreciation. The farm woman planted the spiky fruits in the ground, and they grew into magnificent chestnut trees. Inspired by this success, other residents of the area began planting similar trees throughout the community.
This gradual spread of chestnut trees throughout the settlement eventually gave rise to the town's name: Kastanienbaum, which literally means "chestnut tree" in German. The restored mural now displays vibrant colors and has been completely freed from the mold and decay that had threatened to destroy this important piece of local cultural heritage, ensuring that future generations can continue to appreciate both the artwork and the legend it represents.
