Sigmaringen Castle

Sigmaringen Castle (Schloss Sigmaringen) sits on a limestone rock high above the Danube and is one of the most striking castles in Baden-Württemberg. Once the seat of the Princes of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, it combines a huge hall of arms, historic rooms and a dramatic past, including a spell as a French exile capital at the end of World War II. If you are looking for things to do on the upper Danube, this is a half-day stop you can do by guided tour or audio guide.

History

A fortress stood on the castle rock, about 35 m above the Danube, as early as the 11th century and is mentioned in 1077. It was rebuilt around 1200 in bossed ashlar masonry. Under the Counts of Werdenberg it grew into a palace between 1460 and 1500. The Hohenzollerns acquired Sigmaringen in 1535, moved in in 1540 and were raised to princely rank in 1623. The Wilhelmsbau (1815 to 1817) and the Galeriebau (1862 to 1867) came later.

On 17 April 1893 a fire destroyed almost the entire east wing, and rebuilding ran from 1895 to 1908. In 1944 and 1945 the castle housed the Vichy French government in exile, including Pétain and Laval, while the princely family was forced out. It returned to the family in 1951.

What to see

• The Hall of Arms, with about 3,000 pieces, one of Europe's largest private arms collections.
• The state rooms, which you see on the guided tour.
• The setting above the Danube, best photographed from the river bank and the old town.

Allow one hour for the tour, plus time for the Hall of Arms with an audio guide.

Tickets and opening hours (as of October 2026)

• 10 March to 9 November: daily 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., last admission one hour before closing.
• 10 November to 23 December: Thursday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• 26 December to 6 January 2027: daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Closed: 1 January, 7 January to 9 March, and 24, 25 and 31 December.

Guided tours start daily at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. The 60-minute tour (with the Hall of Arms on an audio guide) costs EUR 15 for adults, EUR 13 reduced and EUR 7 for children aged 4 to 17; a family ticket for two adults and two to four children is EUR 40. The audio tour has the same prices. Audio guides are available in German, English, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Russian and Romanian. Contact +49 7571 729-230 or besichtigung@hohenzollern.com.

Getting there

The address is Karl-Anton-Platz 8, 72488 Sigmaringen, in southern Baden-Württemberg on the upper Danube. Check Deutsche Bahn for current train and bus connections; Stuttgart and Lake Constance are the closest major destinations. The official site lists only a coach parking area, so ask the town of Sigmaringen about car parking.

Accessibility and pets

The castle is a listed monument on a high rock, so a visit may be physically demanding. Wheelchairs and rollators cannot be used. Small dogs and cats are allowed in a closed carrier bag; larger animals are not, assistance dogs excepted.

Nearby

In Sigmaringen's old town stands the parish church of St. Johann. The river bank gives the best view of the castle.