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“There is no book so instructive, whose pictures are so beautiful, as the simple contemplation of nature” – Ludwig Salvator.
Ludwig Salvator, Archduke of Austria and Prince of Tuscany, traveled and explored the Mediterranean for decades with his sailing yacht “Nixe” and finally settled on Mallorca. He was a scientist, artist, visionary, pacifist, conservationist, writer and one of the most enigmatic personalities from the House of Habsburg. He was educated, non-conformist and open-minded. He was particularly interested in exploring then unknown islands, the country and its people, flora and fauna. He documented his travels in words and pictures. Magnificent books bear witness to his universal creativity.

Ludwig enjoyed a liberal upbringing and was involved in the study of nature from a young age. However, he was not only a fun-loving globetrotter, but also a recognized researcher of the Mediterranean region, especially the Balearic Islands. He recorded the results of his research into their history, flora and fauna in extensive publications.

The documentary “A Habsburg on Mallorca – Ludwig Salvator and the magic of the sea” by Rosa Maria Plattner shows the most important stages of Ludwig Salvator’s life and the lasting effects of his research activities at the end of the 19th century. Throughout his life, he was driven by the desire to travel, to understand and to preserve. As the owner of the steam sailing yacht “Nixe” and the “Captain’s Patent of the Long Voyage”, he traveled the Mediterranean for decades to awaken the public’s interest in regions that were largely unknown at the time, such as the Aeolian and Ionian Islands.

Countless legends and anecdotes surround the “uncrowned king of the Balearic Islands”. He cared neither for the appearance expected of a member of the Habsburg family nor for what others thought of him. Because of his shabby clothes, he was repeatedly mistaken for a shepherd or farm worker – much to his amusement. He commented calmly on the fact that he was regarded as an erudite eccentric at court: “Better diverse than simple-minded.”

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