Neu-Augustusburg Castle is a stalled building project. Even the journey to the castle indicated this: The approach was from the east. The buildings of the old castle were retained, including the gate area. It was not until 1688/1690 that a new, representative gate was erected with the gallery building. In the west, the new main gate was built at the same time as the front of the new castle, but the associated driveway from the town was not built.
The gate of the west wing was decorated with four larger-than-life statues, possibly personifications of general ruler virtues. It was patrolled by a special guard permitted only to high imperial princes – the Swiss Guard – after which the gate received its name as the “Swiss Gate”. In the understanding of the 17th and 18th centuries, it was located “in front” and was probably the main entrance to the castle.
