Vrchotovy Janovice Chateau acquired its neo-Gothic look during its last reconstruction in the mid-19th century. The building is inseparably linked with the famous Baroness Sidonie Nádherná von Borutín.
The core of the castle is formed by a 15th and 16th-century water fortress, rebuilt in the Rococo style during the 18th century. The remains of the moat are still visible around the castle. The three-winged castle has an irregular triangular floor plan with a closed courtyard, accessible through two gateways with arched stone bridges. The eastern wing of the castle is the oldest, probably dating back to the 15th century, and has an original tower located in its southern part. The main entrance to the castle is located in the southern wing from the 16th century. South of the castle are its former farm and administrative buildings. An English park with an artificial lake in the middle surrounds the castle.
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.