Augustus the Strong

Augustus the Strong, one of the most enigmatic figures in Saxony's history, was a man of many talents: commander-in-chief, statesman, art collector, hunter and ladies' man. Evidence of his wide-ranging influence can be found all over Saxony: He designed Dresden, the royal seat of power, into a baroque metropolis with magnificent architecture and unique art collections that attracted visitors from all over Europe in the 18th century. Extravagantly furnished palaces and lusciously designed gardens along the Elbe River attest to the glory of the electoral court. Augustus, his affairs with women and his proclivity for pomp and pageantry, continue to be shrouded in legend still today. This book is both an intriguing biography and an entertaining travel guide: Tracking the journey of his life, it leads readers to sites in Saxony that continue to imbue the presence of Augustus - Dresden, the Moritzburg Castle, the Königstein Fortress, and more. Brilliant photographs bring to life the baroque world oft the Saxon elector.