Burgdorf, Switzerland
11th century
Balsthal, Switzerland
12th century
Wildegg, Switzerland
13th century
Bottmingen, Switzerland
13th century
Vufflens-le-Château, Switzerland
1425
Tarasp, Switzerland
11th century
Porrentruy, Switzerland
13th century
Habsburg, Switzerland
1020-1030
Oron-le-Châtel, Switzerland
13th century
Lucens, Switzerland
12th century
Aarburg, Switzerland
c. 1200
Blonay, Switzerland
1175
Champvent, Switzerland
c. 1250
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.