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The Church of Mary’s Annunciation is not only an architectural masterpiece; it has a variety of multilayered paintings as well. At the entrance façade there are several fragments from the Passion of Christ. The workshop from Friuli followed the painter Giotto's style in the late 14th century. A magnificent image of the Holy Sunday from the workshop of Janez of Ljubljana dating from 1460 is severely damaged. Around the suffering Christ, different acts prohibited on the Sabbath are arranged, including selling. Facing the village is a depiction of the giant St. Christopher, repainted several times, who is wading across the river with Christ on his shoulder. One of the layers was the work of the master Bolfgangus.
Older fragments of paintings from the beginning of the 14th century on the north inner wall are interesting for experts, as an image of the angel from the proclamation can be seen there. One of the most excellent Gothic frescoes in Slovenia is the work of Master Bolfgangus, dating from 1453. In the north aisle there are scenes from Christ's birth in the genre of St. Joseph, as well as several lovely saints and Volfgang with an inscription in Latin. The image of the crucifixion in cogged style, which originated from before Bolfgangus' masterpiece, is severely damaged. The loft has a decorative painting between the vaulted ribs. The main golden altar is one of the richest 17th century altars in our territory. It was made by the carver Julij Skarnos along with collaborators (1652). The side altars are in luxurious Baroque style, most of all the altar of St. Martin (1680). The wooden choir benches are from the second half of the 17th century. A special feature is a rustic chest that serves as the new altar. Gold-plated, Gothic statues redone in Baroque style stand at the individual side altars, the most famous of which are the statues of St. Agnes and St. Ursula (1510, 1515).
The key of the church can be obtained at the nearest house.
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.