Franz Heinrich Schwechten designed the castle for Wilhelm II, German Emperor, who made substantial suggestions for the design. Plans were ready in 1904, construction began in 1905, and it was completed in 1910 at a cost of 5 million German marks. The architect presented the keys to Wilhelm on August 21, 1910.
The article describes the style as Neo-Romanesque, with a Byzantine-style throne room and chapel. The tower is 246 feet (75 meters) tall. The throne room has eight statues of Holy Roman Emperors, and there is a rose garden with a lion fountain modeled on the one at the Alhambra.
After 1918 it became Polish state property. During the German occupation of the Second World War it was converted into a residence for Adolf Hitler, and the work stopped in 1943. It now operates as the Zamek Culture Centre.
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