In 1703, the Elector Johann Wilhelm II gave the order to start building this representative hunting castle which was intended for his second wife, The design was based on architectural models of the Versailles and Winchester Castles.

It was admired in the 18th century by, among others Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who enjoyed this unique and open location on the top of the Bensberg hill, overlooking the cathedral city of Cologne.

After the Elector died in 1716 his widow returned to Italy. The castle remained partly unfinished for many years. Over the centuries, it served as a military hospital, a cadet house and a boarding school. In 1997 the AachenMünchener life insurance AG bought the castle for a sum of 75 million euros and had it converted into to a luxury grand hotel.