It is located on a hill 1.5 km (0.93 mi) north of Wittenbach, next to the hamlet of Dottenwil.

The first mention of the Dottenwil estate was in 1302, but it wasn't until 1543 that Peter Graf, a wealthy resident of St. Gallen, built a castle on the site.

She was married to the merchant Konrad Atzenholz, who expanded the castle to its current size around the end of the 16th century.

Most of the interior decorations such as paintings and inlays were lost during these renovations, with the few remaining pieces being saved and stored in the local museum, where they have been since 1962.

The city decided to allow the interest group a three-year trial operation, after which a loan agreement was signed.