Manfred Gnädinger (1936–2002), affectionately known as “Man” or “O Alemán de Camelle,” was a German hermit, artist, and sculptor whose life and legacy are intimately connected to Camelle, a small fishing village on the dramatic Costa da Morte in Galicia, Spain. Arriving in 1962, Manfred adopted a minimalist lifestyle—dwelling in a 13m² hut by the ocean, forsaking comforts like electricity and running water, and wearing only a loincloth year-round. He foraged for food, tended a vegetable garden, and relied on the generosity of the villagers who helped him settle and build his simple home. Driven by a deep connection to nature and marked by personal tragedy, Man devoted his life to creating “O Museo do Alemán”: a mesmerizing open-air museum where stones, driftwood, shells, and marine debris, lovingly arranged, blend seamlessly with the wild coastal landscape.

In November 2002, disaster struck with the sinking of the oil tanker Prestige off the Galician coast. The resulting oil spill devastated the local environment—including Man’s beloved beach and his iconic sculptures, which were coated in thick black oil. Deeply affected by the destruction of his life’s work and the landscape he cherished, Manfred Gnädinger passed away the very next day. He is often remembered as the only person whose life was claimed by the Prestige catastrophe, not by physical harm, but through the sheer emotional impact of witnessing his creation and home ruined by the spill. Man’s environmental art and singular existence have left a profound mark, turning his coastal Eden into a symbol of harmony with nature and artistic vision—even in the face of tragedy.