Alt-Signau Castle (German: Ruine Alt-Signau) is a ruined castle in the municipality of Bowil in the canton of Bern in Switzerland.

Alt-Signau
Ruine Alt-Signau
Bowil
The ruins of Alt-Signau, from the north-west
Alt-Signau is located in Switzerland
Alt-Signau
Alt-Signau
Coordinates46°54′15″N 7°43′22″E / 46.9043°N 7.7227°E / 46.9043; 7.7227
Typehill castle
CodeCH-BE
Site information
ConditionRuined walls
Site history
Builtabout 1130
Garrison information
OccupantsFreiherren of Signau

History

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The 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.

See also

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References

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  • Burgenkarte der Schweiz - West: ISBN 978-3-302-09801-2, Bundesamt für Landestopografie swisstopo, 2007
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  Media related to Ruine Alt-Signau at Wikimedia Commons