Built in the 13th century on the shores of the river Lambro, it lost its military importance due to changing alliances and was converted into a noble residence in 1383 on the orders of Regina della Scala, wife of Bernabò Visconti, who had the main tower erected and mullioned windows installed along the walls.
After changing hands many times it was acquired by the Bolognini family who, in 1933, entrusted it to the Morando Bolognini Foundation, which administers the property to this day.
The castle is home to three museums: the Morando Bolognini historic house museum (24 rooms) showcasing furniture, paintings and china from the 18th century to the 20th century; museum dedicated to the history of agriculture – from the Neolithic era to the present day – and the museum of bread.
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.