Switzerland’s traditional August 1st celebrations faced an unexpected hurdle this year when severe drought conditions and strict local fire bans left a massive 24-meter wooden tower near Lake Sempach completely unlit. Built by Michael Häfliger and friends, the towering pyre—weighing 120 tonnes—stands fully intact more than two weeks after the national holiday passed without the bonfire.
Confronted with a towering structure that could not serve its original purpose, Häfliger took the unusual step of listing the massive pile of timber on the Swiss online marketplace Ricardo. With an asking price of 5,999 Swiss francs, the public auction highlights the logistical nightmare facing builders who constructed what they claim is the largest bonfire in Switzerland.
“I said to myself: Let’s see what happens,” Häfliger remarked regarding the decision to put the colossal wooden pyramid up for public sale online, noting that buyer interest on the platform has been slow to materialize as the timber sits idle overlooking the landscape.
An Auction for 120 Tonnes of Timber
The structure represents an immense amount of physical labor. Constructed out of wood and crowned with a prominent Swiss flag, the 24-meter pyramid was designed to dominate the skyline above Lake Sempach, a location known for hosting the largest bonfire in Switzerland, according to its builders, visible for kilometers around.
Despite the grand scale of the construction, Thursday brought few inquiries from buyers willing to meet the initial 5,999-franc price tag. Because the straightforward sale of the raw timber has not drawn immediate buyers, Häfliger is actively evaluating alternative commercial and structural possibilities for the site.
Exploring Commercial and Future Options
With the structure remaining upright, the builder is considering whether the massive wooden framework could serve as a high-visibility advertising platform. Proposals include attaching corporate banners or company logos to the tower, utilizing the site for high-impact media production, photo and video shoots, or hosting corporate events.
Another option involves leaving the tower in place until the next national holiday on August 1st of next year. However, Häfliger cautions that the temporary construction could collapse.
“How long it will stay in its current form, whether it will remain standing, one cannot say,” Häfliger warned about the stability of the wood as seasonal weather shifts approach.
Safety Restrictions and the End of an Era
While lighting the wood at a later date remains an appealing prospect once regional fire restrictions are officially lifted, seasonal regulations pose another hurdle. Local laws ban open fires completely from November through March.
“Otherwise I would have organized a New Year’s Eve party,” Häfliger noted, ruling out a winter ignition.
This massive pyre marks the fourth wooden tower Häfliger has erected for the August 1st festivities, but it is the first time he has encountered such a situation. He confirmed that this project will be his last, citing the amount of work required rather than any loss of enthusiasm for the tradition.
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