The Princess of Buchenwald by Ana Andreu Baquero is a compelling historical novel that brings to light the often-overlooked story of Mafalda of Savoy.

Born into royalty, Mafalda’s life unfolds between two worlds — from the elegance of European courts to the brutality of a Nazi concentration camp. Her fate reflects the turbulence of the years leading up to and during the Second World War.

The narrative begins in 1945, in the city of Weimar, shortly after the liberation of Buchenwald concentration camp. A group of seven Italian officers arrives at a local cemetery in search of plot number 262.

There, they discover the remains of a woman identified only as unbekannte Frau — “unknown woman.”

Through careful reconstruction, archival research, and personal accounts, the novel gradually restores her identity, revealing her to be Princess Mafalda of Savoy.

Who was Mafalda of Savoy?

Born in 1902, Mafalda was the daughter of Victor Emmanuel III. Her marriage to Prince Philipp of Hesse placed her at the heart of European aristocracy.

Yet history would not spare her.

In 1943, following Italy’s armistice with the Allies, Mafalda traveled to Bulgaria to attend the funeral of her brother-in-law, Boris III of Bulgaria. During this time, her husband was placed under house arrest, while their children sought refuge in the Vatican City.

Under the pretext of subversive activity, the Gestapo arrested Mafalda. She was deported to Buchenwald.

There, stripped of her title, she endured the same inhumane conditions as the other prisoners — forced labor, deprivation, and constant uncertainty. Italian inmates who recognized her later recalled her quiet dignity and generosity, sharing what little she had with others.

On August 24, 1944, during Allied bombings, Mafalda suffered severe injuries. Despite medical efforts, infection set in, and she died during the night of August 26–27, 1944.

The Princess of Buchenwald is more than a historical reconstruction.

It is a testament to resilience — a story that transforms the memory of one woman into a reflection of an entire era.

Not a tale of royalty, but of humanity.