As early as the year 999 there was a fortification on the site of Saarbrücken Castle. Built in 1748 by Friedrich Joachim Stengel, the present Baroque buildings have an eventful history of destruction and rebuilding. The new, unmistakeably contemporary, central structure is a further bold step in this development. The accentuated concrete skeleton with glazed metal grid is further enhanced by twin spiral staircases adding contour to the glass/steel facade. Constructed of wedge-shaped stone steps on a concrete spine, the elegant spiralling is underlined by plain white balustrading.