Sigmaringen

Situated in Baden-Württemberg on the upper reaches of the Danube, Sigmaringen has around 16,000 inhabitants, making it the second largest town in the region. Nestled in the Danube valley, it lies at the southern edge of the Swabian Alb on the Hohenzollern Route and the Upper Swabian Baroque Route. Lake Constance is about 40km to the south and the town is between 578 and 794 metres above sea level.

City Highlights

Whether it really was a knight named Sigmar who originally founded Sigmaringen is lost in the mists of time. But we do know that in the 16th century the Hohenzollern princes made Sigmaringen their royal seat. The town blossomed and the previously gloomy and mainly defensive fortress was transformed into a fairytale castle, replete with towers and bay windows, that dominates the skyline to this day. But the sense of history is not just limited to the castle. Down in Sigmaringen itself, which was awarded town status as early as 1250, tradition and history meet you at every turn. Although the town hall was only built between 1925 and 1927, there are plenty of signs of Sigmaringen's glorious past – the fountain on the market square, for instance, or Leopoldplatz with its grand Prussian-era buildings, or the rambling pedestrian area with its pretty half-timbered buildings. Equally steeped in history are the town's religious buildings such as the baroque parish church of St. John the Evangelist, the Josefskapelle chapel, the Hedinger Church, the Church of St. Gallus, and, of course, the Round Tower with its local history museum. And after a sightseeing tour and a spot of shopping (or, this being Sigmaringen, a lot of shopping) there are plenty of restaurants and cafés where you can refuel and relax. Alternatively, you could take a stroll in the Prinzengarten, a park in the English country garden style. Or a canoe trip on the Danube, passing by chalk cliffs up to 200 metres high. But however you choose to spend your time, here in the heart of the Upper Danube Nature Park there is always something new to enjoy.

Castle tours are conducted all year round, presenting the almost thousand year history of the castle and its use as a palace by the Hohenzollern princes. Expert guides will explain the background to the faithfully preserved, opulently furnished rooms with their exquisite furniture, porcelain, miniatures, clocks and paintings. Special themed tours – including for children – focus on everyday courtly life and place the castle in its historical context.

Local history museum in the Round Tower: the defensive tower is part of the ancient town fortifications. Destroyed in the Thirty Years' War, it was used for residential purposes following restoration. The tower's exterior walls are adorned with the coats of arms for the castle and the town. In 1970 the tower was converted into a local history museum and exhibition space.

The Mattes Zündapp Museum in the former bottling plant at the Zoller-Hof brewery houses over 100 exhibits from the legendary Nuremberg motorbike manufacturer. This is currently the largest Zündapp collection in the world, providing an overview of everything the company produced in its history. Even the Janus, the only car that Zündapp ever made, can be seen here.

Activities in Sigmaringen

There are also lots of different ways to get active in Sigmaringen, which lies in the walkers' and cyclists' paradise of the Upper Danube Nature Park. Attractions here include a series of man-made swings along the banks of the Danube, a golf course, outdoor pool, sauna, hydrotherapy facilities and a range of other options for sport, fitness and wellness.

Climbers too will find plenty to enjoy here. Various tours are available for beginners, but for experienced climbers there is also a number of more challenging alpine routes. - Nature Park Oberdonau

For cyclists there are seven wonderful routes in and around Sigmaringen, ranging in difficulty from family friendly to fitness focused.

For a really memorable experience, take a canoe trip on the Danube and sail past chalk cliffs up to 200m in height.

Accommodation in Sigmaringen

Sigmaringen and its surrounding areas offer a wide range of accommodation options. Hospitality and customer service are writ large in the family-run establishments, where a special effort is made to make guests feel at home. Particularly recommended are Gasthaus Bären, situated in a heritage-listed building on the edge of town, and the Zollerhof, which is not just an inn but a brewery as well. And wherever you stay, you can look forward to some hearty Bavarian cuisine.

Contact:

Sigmaringen Tourist Information
Leopoldplatz 4
72488 Sigmaringen
Tel.: +49 (0)7571 106 224
Fax: +49 (0)7571 106 177

tourismus@sigmaringen.de
www.sigmaringen.de

OPENING TIMES:

APRIL TO SEPTEMBER:
Monday to Friday:
10am-1pm
2pm-6pm
Saturday, Sunday and public holidays: 10am-1pm

OCTOBER TO MARCH:
Monday to Friday:
10am-1pm
2pm-4pm

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