the first building on the site was a franciscan friary, constructed in about 1300, which was abandoned in 1533 after the protestant reformation. in 1636, george, duke of brunswick-lüneburg, began construction of a rather small late renaissance palace on the site as his residence. elector ernest augustus had it enlarged and modernized and added a theatre in the late 17th century. in 1742 the north-west wing was renewed. between 1816 and 1844, the architect georg ludwig friedrich laves fully re-built the palace. the column portico with six corinthian columns was built during this period.