The residence of one of the one of the oldest and most important noble families in Germany, castle Sigmaringen is beautifully located within the limestone hills surrounding upper Danube in the region Schwaebische Alb.
The area around Sigmaringen has numerous traces of old Roman settlements dating back to the 1st century, and it is quite possible that the hills on which the present castle is located, could have some strategic meanings at that time, or in the next centuries.
The ground under the castle hides the answer to the real castle’s age, at least in 1077 it has been already mentioned in chronicles, and fluorished in 12th century to be heavily damaged during the thirty years war. In 1535 the Hohenzollern family took over the castle and small town around, and after establishing the house Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen count Karl II
rebuilt it for his residence. Next centuries brought new additions and transformations of the buildings, the present eclecticism shape Schloss Sigmaringen received after the great fire of 1879.
Today the castle remains the seat of Hohenzollern family and can be visited only with a guided group tour.
The tour takes approx. 1 hour. The entrance fee for adult person is at present 6,00 € .
Besides of the inner chambers of the castle which are furnished with 16th century style and the gallery of the paintings the visitors can see the part of one of the greatests armoury collection in Europe featuring numerous items from 14th to 19th centuries.
Opening hours:
10.00 – 15.30 Nov -Feb
9.30 – 16.30 Mar – Apr
9.00 – 17.00 May – Oct
Schloss Sigmaringen
Karl Anton Platz 8
D-72488 Sigmaringen
E-Mail: schloss@hohenzollern.com
web page: www.hohenzollern.com
[photo by machbel]