Ferdinand Porsche Birth House

Alexander “Sascha” Kolowrat

Alexander Joseph of the Kolowrat-Krakowsky family became renowned as a fearless racing driver, distinguished by his remarkably clean, accident-free driving style and exceptional physical endurance. Known by the nickname “Sascha”, this aristocrat made a significant contribution to the development of the Laurin & Klement brand and worked closely with the designer Ferdinand Porsche.

He demonstrated his mastery particularly in the demanding Alpine Trial, which he won in 1910 and completed in subsequent years without a single penalty point. Beyond the world of motoring, however, he also left an indelible mark on the history of cinema, helping to launch the careers of Marlene Dietrich and director Michael Curtiz. Although his life was cut short by a serious illness in 1927, the legendary Sascha remains, for the wider public, a symbol of the era of the “grandfather of the automobile”.

The Austro-Daimler Sascha racing car, on loan from the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, can be seen at the Ferdinand Porsche Birth House until March 21, 2027.