The gate was erected from 1751 – 57 on the orders of Elector Clemens August according to the plans of Francois Cuvillés d.Ä. by M. Leveilly, Bonn’s municipal architect, as the seat of the St. Michael Order. In its lateral passages there were guard and customs rooms in former times. Quite remarkable are the emphasized Dorian and Ionic double columns, which impart the gate a very special and representative character in connection with the electoral arms cartridge. The gate’s upper part displays the personifications of the four virtues of the St. Michael Order, which are religiousness, perseverance, strength and faithfulness, as well as the gold-plated archangel Michael in the centre.