From the beginning it was built as an administrative center for the Grasburg district and as a home for the governor.

Following the 1798 French invasion, Schwarzenburg Castle and the district became part of Bern permanently.

The castle was built as an administrative center and manor house rather than as a pure defensive structure.

However, the walls, towers and gatehouse were built to make it into an impressive government building, not for defensive purposes.

The new entrance was decorated in the Louis XVI style and a fountain topped with an obelisk.