The story of the man in the iron mask, shrouded in mystery for more than 350 years, has been a focal point of research for many historians and has also served as inspiration for countless writers and filmmakers. Many adaptations of this theme include a film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and a novel by Alexander Dumas.

What is certain, however, is that the man in the iron mask was a real man. Over the centuries, many historians and authors have tried to solve the mystery of who this mysterious man was. It was believed that he may have been the brother of Louis XIV, or even his son, while other versions state that he may have been a certain English nobleman.

"L´Homme au Masque de Fer" ("The Man in the Iron Mask").

It is said that during the reign of King Louis XIV, this man was held for several decades in the Bastille and other French prisons until his death in 1703. For many years, his identity remained unknown, which was also the reason for his imprisonment. Even more interesting, however, is the fact that no one has ever seen his face, because this mysterious man still had a black velvet mask on his face.

Voltaire, who was imprisoned in the Bastille in 1717, claimed that the man had an iron mask on his face since 1661. According to Voltaire's work Questions sur l'Encyclopédie (Encyclopedia Questions) he was the illegitimate brother of Louis XIV. Alexandre Dumas again claimed that the Man in the Iron Mask was the twin of Louis XIV and should have been the rightful king of France, as he was born a few minutes before Louis XIV.

There are countless unproven theories and attempts to solve the mystery of the man in the iron mask. Many candidates have been nominated for him, including a French general, an Italian diplomat, a French playwright and actor Molière, a father of Louis XIV and a butler, Eustach Dauger.

The city of Pinerolo

However, the oldest reports of a man can be traced back to 1669, when the Marquis de Louvois sent a letter to Pignerol Governor Bénign Dauvergn de Saint-Mars informing him that a prisoner named Eustache Dauger would be transferred to Pignerol Prison. According to many historians, Eustache Dauger is the most serious candidate for a man in an iron mask. Paul Sonnino, a professor of history at the University of California, Santa Barbara, claims that Eustache Dauger is the mysterious man in the iron mask.

"Renowned historians have long questioned the legend popularized by Voltaire and Dumas that they were the twins of Louis XIV." Sonnino in his statement. "They're also pretty sure he was a valet." But what they couldn't figure out was who he was a valet for and why he had been held in strict prison for more than 30 years. "

Illustration, 1872

In his book, The Search for a Man in the Iron Mask: A Historical Detective Story, Paul Sonnino writes that Eustache Dauger worked as a valet for the treasurer of Cardinal Mazarin, France's first minister, who had amassed large fortunes over the years. According to Sonnin Eustach, Dauger believed that Cardinal Mazarin had stolen part of the money.

"Dauger must have spoken at the wrong time."

When he was arrested, they informed him that if he revealed his identity to anyone, he would be killed immediately, "said Sonnino.

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