The monastery of Panagia of Ipseni (Our Lady of Ipseni) was established in the 19th century and functions normally, as it has always done, without interruption since its establishment. It is run by a group of friendly, very capable and self-sufficient nuns, who grow their own vegetables, live simple but fulfilling lives, and whose main wish is to keep their beautiful monastery among the hills going forever. Half of the complex, including the tall campanile, was built about 200 years ago.
References: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.