Art in the Canteen - the Murals in the Festungsmuseum Crestawald

Blue trees and pink snow. Or red cows and blue mountains. Some landscape paintings by Turo Pedretti (1896-1964) appear expressionistic, the colours reflect situations and moods. And, time and time again, Turo Pedretti’s works feature his beloved Engadin: during the thaw or Foehn winds, for instance.

Turo Pedretti must have missed the Engadin – and nature and Graubünden's landscape in general – during his military service (Active Service) in the Crestawald fortification. Life in the underground structure was cramped and monotonous. Ninety-five men worked in shifts at the secret military facility located near Sufers; there was hardly any contact with the outside world.

The fortification's commander was undoubtedly well aware that the claustrophobic, austere environment was not likely to boost troop morale. Therefore, he tasked Turo Pedretti with turning the canteen into a more comfortable place. The artist and Unteroffizier [in the Swiss army: any military rank between corporal and chief warrant officer] did as he was told. Not in an expressionistic manner, but by recreating scenes from simple, rural everyday life. These scenes depicted on the walls almost appear like little stories. And many of the soldiers will have recognised themselves in them.