Critics challenge plan to rebuild ESAF wooden bull in Uri

Criticism is growing in the Swiss canton of Uri over plans to rebuild the 20 metre high wooden bull that became a landmark of the 2025 Swiss Wrestling and Alpine Festival. The private association behind the project wants to turn it into a tourist attraction above Andermatt, SRF reported.

The bull, known as Muni Max, was built for the festival in Mollis by 220 timber construction companies, with more than 500 apprentices involved. The sculpture used 1,200 cubic metres of Swiss wood and weighs 182 tonnes.

After the festival, the structure was dismantled and transported to Uri. Its components have been stored in Erstfeld for the past year, packed to protect them from the weather and water, according to Franz-Xaver Simmen of the association that brought the bull to the canton.

The association plans to rebuild the sculpture in Nätschen, an area above Andermatt next to the mid-station of the Andermatt Sedrun ski resort. Simmen, president of the Max der Uristier association, considers the location ideal because tourist infrastructure is already in place.

The project has faced criticism from environmental organisations and politicians. Environmental groups say there is no timetable or information about long-term financing and are calling for the public to be involved in the planning.

Politicians have also criticised contributions of 100,000 Swiss francs from the canton and the federal government, despite the association having promised private financing. An online petition launched more than a week ago calls for the project to be put on hold and had collected almost 1,200 signatures.

The petition says the wooden bull would be a major intrusion into the landscape. It calls for proper planning, a traffic and safety concept, and a financial guarantee for dismantling the structure. It also warns that taxpayers should not be left with dismantling or possible disposal costs.

Simmen said the association respected the petition as an expression of opinion, but did not consider it broadly representative because anyone could sign it without verification. He said the association remained convinced that the bull would be welcomed by people in Uri and promised that it would take responsibility for any future dismantling.

The building application for the reconstruction has already been published and attracted 22 objections. Andermatt’s building commission is currently examining them, the municipality told SRF. It is due to decide how to proceed at a meeting on August 18.