Prince Herman von Pückler-Muskau surrounded by his ancestors. This is the astonishing story of the house of Muskau – of how Pückler's mother Clementine was forced into marriage, of how his father Ludwig acquired the estates in Muskau, of how his grandfather Callenberg controlled the family's fortunes…

Pückler loved to be the topic of conversation. And for that, he needed medals. Fortunately, his wife Lucie had excellent connections in the royal family, and so he gave her a pragmatic order: “Go and play, and bring me another medal or two.”

One of Pückler's letters tells an outrageous story: he and his wife Lucie decided to divorce so that Pückler could marry a richer woman. After all, the work on the Muskau estate was costing vast amounts of money. In order for the plan to work, however, Pückler demanded a huge sacrifice from his ex-wife – she had to leave Muskau.

In 1842, Princess Augusta of Prussia was unhappy with her gardens in Babelsberg. She asked Pückler, whose work she admired, for advice. He came immediately and boldly declared: “Madame will give me free reign and do what I say […] And there shall be no penny-pinching, only death is for free.”