About

The focal point of the beautiful Branitz Park near Cottbus consists of two pyramids: the Land Pyramid, modeled after the stepped shape of the Pyramids of Saqqara, and the Lake Pyramid or "Tumulus"—the burial pyramid. In front of the latter lies a tiny island featuring the gravestone of Prince Hermann von Pückler-Muskau and his wife, Lucie.

Hermann von Pückler-Muskau commands respect as one of the most multifaceted and dazzling personalities of his era. He was also quite an "odd bird." Born on October 30, 1785, as the eldest son of a mother who was only 15 years old, he grew up with his grandfather. After his grandfather's death, the education of the nine-year-old was entrusted to the Moravian Church (Herrnhuter Brüdergemeinde). The pietism of this "Moravian hypocrisy-institute" (as Pückler called it) triggered early religious skepticism, rebellion, liberalism and a commitment to pantheism—the equation of God with nature.

After dropping out of law school, he began a military career in 1802.…