Steinfurt, Germany
12th century
Bad Mergentheim, Germany
1525
Attendorn, Germany
13th century
Oberkirch, Germany
c. 1070-1090
Gößweinstein, Germany
11th century
Pottenstein, Germany
13th century
Borken, Germany
13th century
Blankenheim, Germany
c. 1115
Pottenstein, Germany
1057-1070
Thallichtenberg, Germany
1200
Idar-Oberstein, Germany
14th century
Kastellaun, Germany
13th century
Delitzsch, Germany
14th century
Niederdürenbach, Germany
14th century
Lörrach, Germany
11th century
Kulmbach, Germany
12th century
Andernach, Germany
15th century
Erkelenz, Germany
14th century
Ahorntal, Germany
12th century
Bonn, Germany
13th century
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.