Kobern-Gondorf, Germany
12th century
Ottendorf-Okrilla, Germany
16th century
Hausach, Germany
13th century
Hückeswagen, Germany
c. 1189
Karlstadt, Germany
9th century AD
Vlotho, Germany
c. 1250
Hexenagger, Germany
10th century
Hiltpoltstein, Germany
11th century
Isenburg, Germany
c. 1100
Lahnstein, Germany
1324
Uhingen, Germany
1596
Ballmertshofen, Germany
16th century
Leisnig, Germany
10th century AD
Wissen, Germany
12th century
Schönecken, Germany
1230
Wangen im Allgäu, Germany
12th century
Senden, Germany
12th century
Alf, Germany
c. 936 AD
Bechtersbohl, Germany
1125-1141
Bad Grönenbach, Germany
1280
Sigmaringen Castle was first mentioned in the year 1077 in the chronicles of Petershausen monastery. The oldest parts of the castle are concealed beneath the alterations made during the 17th and the 19th centuries. The secret of the earliest settlement built on this defendable rock will never be fully revealed: large-scale excavation work would be necessary, which the extensive land development renders impossible. Judging from the many Roman remains unearthed in the area around Sigmaringen, the 12th century keep known as the 'Roman Tower' could be traced back to a Roman predecessor.
The castle remains that have been preserved (gate, great hall and keep) date back to the Staufer period around 1200. The castle remains were integrated into subsequent buildings. The foundations of the castle buildings are to a large extent identical to the surrounding castle wall.
These remains give us a good idea of how the castle might have looked during the 12th century.