Buonas, Switzerland
1494
Dornach, Switzerland
11th century
Stein am Rhein, Switzerland
c. 1200
Grüningen, Switzerland
before 1229
Bottmingen, Switzerland
13th century
Frutigen, Switzerland
c. 1200
Saint-Saphorin, Switzerland
12th century
Vufflens-le-Château, Switzerland
1425
La Neuveville, Switzerland
1283
Oensingen, Switzerland
1250
Erlach, Switzerland
1090-1100
Silenen, Switzerland
13th century
Mesocco, Switzerland
12th century
Wilderswil, Switzerland
12th century
Tarasp, Switzerland
11th century
Küssnacht, Switzerland
13th century
Freienbach, Switzerland
13th century
Dardagny, Switzerland
13th century
Trimbach, Switzerland
10th century AD
Porrentruy, Switzerland
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.