At the beginning of the 18th century, Augustus the Strong gave Pillnitz Palace to his mistress, Countess Cosel. After he grew tired of her and banished her, the Elector had the Berg- und Wasserpalais built in the Chinese fashion style and made Pillnitz his Baroque play and pleasure palace. Later, the Saxon court resided here in the summer months and enjoyed the landscape between the Elbe and the vineyards. Today, the enchanting palace park invites hundreds of thousands of guests from all over the world to stroll around. Exotic plants thrive in the palm house and the famous 250-year-old camellia is protected in the winter months by its own mobile glass house. In the Palace Museum, the Catholic Chapel, the Royal Court Kitchen and the imposing domed hall are particularly impressive.