Watts Towers, (yes, that Watts) built by an Italian immigrant (to the USA).
In Europe, same weirdness appears:
1879 – 1912
33 years of struggle
10 000 days
93 000 hours
Ferdinand Cheval was a French postman, who built “Le Palais Idéal” by working in his spare time. Here’s a Wikipedia picture:
Here is a large portrait of the artist who had the slogans: “The work of one man” and “Let those who think they can do better try”.
“Discover the postman’s palace” says the website Facteur Cheval. His work is now a protected cultural legacy.
Impressed.