Dominating Lagarina valley since the 11th century, the Noarna castle was a possession initially of the Castelbarco family and later of the Lodrons.
The ancient Castel Noarna served as a setting for witch trials. Located at Noarna di Nogaredo, the Castle overlooks Lagarina valley since the 11th century and probably used to be a former Roman fort. The 13th century keep consists of the main tower, topped by Guelph embattlements, two guardrooms and the prison. Rounded arches testify to the building's Medieval origins.
In this castle a notorious witch trial was held, involving dozens of people from Lagarina valley, which ended with five death sentences to as many local women. Today, it houses a renowned wine cellar boasting about 35,000 bottles.
In 1177 the Castle was damaged during violent fighting and later on became the property of the Castelbarco family. In 1486 it passed to the Lodron family and developed its current look, as it got transformed into an aristocratic mansion. After 1876 the Lodrons moved out and started using the castle only as a summer residence. The castle was eventually abandoned towards the end of the 19th century.
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.