Marcus Aurelius – Fresco by César Malfi

On the Landi silo, near Avenches railway station, a monumental work of art dominates the landscape: a mural measuring 200 square metres and 20 metres high, created by the French artist César Malfi.

With his roots in the graffiti scene, César Malfi drew direct inspiration from Avenches’ Roman history and its status as the capital of the Helvetii to create this work. The result is a monumental black-and-white bust of Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

Discovered in 1939 in a sewer, the gold bust of Marcus Aurelius is on display at the Roman Museum in Avenches, and the mural thus offers a contemporary reinterpretation of it, in the open air and on a grand scale.

The artwork was created as part of the ArtiChoke urban art festival. Held every two years in Estavayer-le-Lac, the festival is venturing beyond its usual venue for the first time, marking an important milestone for the event. It is the largest mural produced by the festival to date, and its ideal location near Avenches railway station ensures unrivalled visibility.

This creation heralds the ArtiChoke 2026 festival and invites residents and visitors alike to (re)discover Avenches’ rich Roman past through the unique perspective of a contemporary urban artist.