When asked which project he has been most passionate about over the years, Rolf Möller answers without hesitation: Wartburg Castle. At the beginning of the 1980s, he renovated one of the most famous castles in Germany. The fact that he had the opportunity to start the preliminary investigations there, on which he then based his restoration concept, which in turn formed the basis for his actual work - in other words, he was able to accompany the entire process - still moves him today. The preliminary investigations gave him the opportunity to fully explore the respective historical eras of the Wartburg. Möller renewed the color schemes of the rooms and devoted himself to the structural substance, including the gable walls in the banqueting hall. Möller's work was completed in time for the Luther Year 1983. The fact that Möller was given the opportunity was probably also due to a change in the historical policy of the SED leadership. They wanted international recognition and were therefore prepared to celebrate the 500th birthday of a man of the church in a big way.

The year 1983 at Wartburg Castle shows: Möller was not only concerned with different historical eras throughout his life. He lived through epochal upheavals in 75 years. After 1945, his father Walter Möller laid the foundations for his son's professional future. Möller senior trained as a master painter and later became a craftsman, specializing in the renovation of churches. He taught Rolf Möller how to restore, as did his brother and sister.

Everything is easier in a team... or as a family dynasty

With his father and three siblings as trained craftsmen and women, the foundations were laid for a family dynasty. And this dynasty has left its mark. Möller explains: "Precisely because we were able to work as a team in the family, we were able to devote ourselves to very large projects. As a result, our wealth of experience grew very quickly." Together, they managed the restoration of the Gothic pulpit in Halle, the west wing of Gotha Castle and the baptism in Erfurt Cathedral.

The reunification did not affect Möller's work. Looking back today, he only notices a few changes in his work as a freelancer. Whereas in GDR times, membership of the Association of Visual Artists secured his freelance status and the scope and number of commissions increased as his experience grew, today it is the estimated costs that play a major role in the application process. In case of doubt, sometimes to the detriment of the undisputed expert.

A life not only for restoration, but also for the transfer of knowledge

However, the family legacy of restoration did not stop with the second generation. Suddenly, Möller says in conversation: “Then, after my studies, I did a master's degree so that I could train my children.” The result: his own daughter is now also a qualified restorer and his son also works in the industry. He runs the “romoe - network for restoration, art and monument conservation” named after Rolf Möller. The mutual exchange of knowledge and experience between restorers is a matter close to Möller's heart. But how did he come up with the idea of starting such a network in the first place? Möller answers: "At the time, the documentation that restorers had to write in parallel to their work was only available in the state offices for the preservation of monuments, without being of any use to anyone. With romoe, they are now accessible to all interested parties."

In 75 years of life, Möller has already left numerous traces behind. But he is not finished yet. He is currently standing on scaffolding in the Waldau church in Waldau, Thuringia. An original Renaissance gallery painting from 1603 needs to be restored there. It was uncovered - naturally - by Rolf Möller.

We wish him all the best and look forward to seeing him again at denkmal 2026!