Upper Bavarian carver sculpts Moai heads and meets Bill Clinton!

Upper Bavarian carver sculpts Moai heads and meets Bill Clinton!

In the picturesque hills of Upper Bavaria, more precisely in Maitenbeth in the Mühldorf district, you can meet a very special artist. Franz Eder, 67 years old, carves impressive Moai heads that are reminiscent of the famous figures from Easter Island. What is special about Eder is not only his art, but also his eventful past: for 21 years he worked as a ramp supervisor at Munich Airport, where he chauffeured celebrities such as Bill Clinton and Paris Hilton, among others. Despite these exciting experiences, Eder never had any desire to travel the world, apart from his honeymoon to Isla Margarita. Mercury reports that a pilot friend who returned from Easter Island encouraged Eder to start carving. This is how everything started 15 years ago.

Since then, Eder has created around 70 Moai heads in his small forest near Kirchdorf near Haag. These works of art look majestically over the Hague castle towers and offer a breathtaking view of the foothills of the Alps all the way to the Zugspitze. Eder acquired this piece of land 25 years ago, which represents a very personal refuge for him. He describes the creative process of carving as profound, with the moai head's facial expression determined by its cutting technique.

A diverse work

Franz Eder doesn't just specialize in Moai heads. In addition to these impressive sculptures, he also creates life-sized buzzards and delicate works of art such as gentian flowers. He occasionally sells his carvings, although some of his artworks unexpectedly disappear. However, his three own children and two foster children show little interest in this special art form, which is a matter close to Eder's heart.

The Mühldorf region has a lot to offer, not just the impressive Moai heads. With over 121,000 inhabitants, the district is a lively hub. The largest cities, Waldkraiburg and Mühldorf, are rich in history. Mühldorf was a Salzburg enclave until 1803 and has a historical connection to armaments factories and concentration camp subcamps. Today the city is crossed by the Südostbayernbahn and offers transport connections via the A94.

Things to see in the Mühldorf district

Anyone traveling in the region should not miss the sights:

• Mittelalterliche Burg in Haag mit Führungen.
• Naturfreibad in Haag mit Biergarten.
• Brauereigasthof Unertl in Haag.
• Altstadt von Mühldorf mit historischen Gebäuden.
• Barock-Klöster Au und Gars am Inn.

Franz Eder decorates the landscape of Upper Bavaria with his unique creations and at the same time contributes to the cultural diversity of his home country. Anyone looking for an inspiring story will find in Eder an excellent example of how passion and creativity can go hand in hand. For a little insight into the world of carving, a visit to Maitenbeth is certainly a worthwhile experience!