Bern, Switzerland
13th century
Morcote, Switzerland
12th century
Clarens, Switzerland
13th century
Domleschg, Switzerland
1200
Läufelfingen, Switzerland
c. 1240
Arlesheim, Switzerland
1239
Thalheim, Switzerland
13th century
Cama, Switzerland
12th century
La Sarraz, Switzerland
1049
Oron-le-Châtel, Switzerland
13th century
Aesch, Switzerland
13th century
Sarnen, Switzerland
11th century
Scuol, Switzerland
12th century
Kandergrund, Switzerland
12th century
Meinier, Switzerland
1318
Lucens, Switzerland
12th century
Ormalingen, Switzerland
1319-1342
Stetten, Switzerland
13th century
Flums, Switzerland
c. 1220
Aarburg, Switzerland
c. 1200
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.