Alt-Signau Castle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 | |
| Site information | |
| Type | hill castle |
| Code | CH-BE |
| Condition | Ruined walls |
| Location | |
  Alt-Signau | |
| Coordinates | 46°54′15″N 7°43′22″E |
| Site history | |
| Built | about 1130 |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | Freiherren of Signau |
History
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.
