Poppelsdorf Palace

The design of a new structure to replace the old ruined castle of Poppelsdorf commenced in 1715 at the request of the owner, Joseph Clemens, Archbishop-Elector of Cologne, who engaged the French architect Robert de Cotte.

Clemens wanted a maison de plaisance that would be near his remodeled Bonn Palace 800 metres (1⁄2 mile) to the north.

It consisted of four two-storey wings surrounding a circular inner court with an arcaded gallery on its circumference.

Clemens wrote to de Cotte: "I realized that it would be quite useless to erect so large a building on that site, which is but a cannon shot from town ... For the most part my retinue returns to the city at night, and I keep near me only those who are absolutely necessary to serve me.

"[3] The extant plan shows a square entrance vestibule with 16 columns: four free-standing, and the remainder engaged with the walls.