Neresheim, Germany
1095
Cologne, Germany
966 AD
Rostock, Germany
c. 1350
Stendal, Germany
13th century
Kempten (Allgäu), Germany
752 AD
Heidelberg, Germany
1023
Wurzen, Germany
1112–1114
Streithausen, Germany
1222
Prüm, Germany
721 AD
Trier, Germany
1734-1753
Bergen auf Rügen, Germany
1193
Burtscheid, Germany
997 AD
Bamberg, Germany
1073-1109
Bingen am Rhein, Germany
1416
Soest, Germany
1313
Weingarten, Germany
1056
Ratzeburg, Germany
1154
Marienmünster, Germany
1127
Bielefeld, Germany
1293
Passau, Germany
1624
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.