Jägerhof Castle

The origins of Jägerhof date back to the mid-17th century, when an initial building amidst a game park served as the seat of the electoral forest administration. After the death of Elector Jan Wellem in 1716, Düsseldorf lost its residential status, and the grounds fell into disrepair. In the mid-18th century, Elector Karl Theodor commissioned his master builder Johann Joseph Couven to construct a pleasure palace. Although Couven's original design from 1749 was more extensive, the palace was completed in 1762 without side wings and served as the seat of the chief huntsmen until 1795. During the Napoleonic Wars, it was plundered in 1795 and used as a hospital, before being renovated in 1811 for Napoleon's visit. After the Congress of Vienna, the Rhineland became part of Prussia, and from 1821, the side wings were added under the direction of Anton Schnitzler to accommodate the family of Prince Friedrich of Prussia. It remained a Hohenzollern residence until 1885, but was then sold to the city of Düsseldorf in 1909.