Alt-Signau Castle Ruins

Signau, Switzerland

Alt-Signau castle was the ancestral home of the Barons of Signau. The family was first mentioned in 1130 when Werner von Signau appeared in a historical record. The castle was designed to protect and control the road between the Emmental and the Aare river. In the mid-14th century the castle was abandoned when the family moved to Neu-Signau Castle on a hill across the valley.

The ruin is relatively well preserved.

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Details

Founded: 12th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in Switzerland

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Micha Schmutz (3 years ago)
1. Thanks to the private owner who allows his ruins to be visited. 2. It is a beautiful ruin which can be reached via a narrow path with Stuffene. It's nice to visit the ruins as you get a sense of the past. On the steep hill you have a clear view through the trees.
Patrick Schmid (3 years ago)
The ruin is on a small hill. Access is from an adjacent farm (which has chickens and sheep, among other things, exciting for young children). The ascent is quite steep. We were there in late winter, there was still snow in the shady area and it was slippery. At the top is the ruin which is small but beautiful. As I could see there were open fire pits but saw no wood depot on site. Unfortunately, there is no seating on site either, but the ruins of the wall invite you to sit down. Nice place!
ma vision des choses le guide et voyageur (5 years ago)
Pretty place still well preserved
Benjamin Stocker-Zaugg (5 years ago)
Very impressive. There are still enough wall remains to be able to get an idea of ​​the system. The castle ruins stand in the middle of a beautiful hiking area. It can be easily reached on foot from Signau train station in about 45 minutes.
Simone SCHÄR (5 years ago)
Tolle natur
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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.