Alt-Signau | |
---|---|
Ruine Alt-Signau | |
Bowil | |
![]() The ruins of Alt-Signau, from the north-west | |
Coordinates | 46°54′15″N7°43′22″E / 46.9043°N 7.7227°E Coordinates: 46°54′15″N7°43′22″E / 46.9043°N 7.7227°E |
Type | hill castle |
Code | CH-BE |
Site information | |
Condition | Ruined walls |
Site history | |
Built | about 1130 |
Garrison information | |
Occupants | Freiherren of Signau |
Alt-Signau Castle (German : Ruine Alt-Signau) is a ruined castle in the municipality of Bowil in the canton of Bern in Switzerland.
German is a West Germanic language that is mainly spoken in Central Europe. It is the most widely spoken and official or co-official language in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, South Tyrol (Italy), the German-speaking Community of Belgium, and Liechtenstein. It is also one of the three official languages of Luxembourg and a co-official language in the Opole Voivodeship in Poland. The languages which are most similar to German are the other members of the West Germanic language branch: Afrikaans, Dutch, English, the Frisian languages, Low German/Low Saxon, Luxembourgish, and Yiddish. There are also strong similarities in vocabulary with Danish, Norwegian and Swedish, although those belong to the North Germanic group. German is the second most widely spoken Germanic language, after English.
Bowil is a municipality in the Bern-Mittelland administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland.
The canton of Bern or Berne is the second largest of the 26 Swiss cantons by both surface area and population. Located in west-central Switzerland, it borders the canton of Jura and the canton of Solothurn to the north. To the west lie the canton of Neuchâtel, the canton of Fribourg and canton of Vaud. To the south lies the canton of Valais. East of the canton of Bern lie the cantons of Uri, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Lucerne and Aargau.
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.
Baron is a rank of nobility or title of honour, often hereditary. The female equivalent is baroness.
Signau is a municipality in the administrative district of Emmental in the canton of Bern in Switzerland.
The Emmental is a valley in west central Switzerland, forming part of the canton of Bern. It is a hilly landscape comprising the basins of the rivers Emme and Ilfis. The region is mostly devoted to farming, particularly dairy farming. The principal settlements are the town of Burgdorf and the village of Langnau.
The ruin is relatively well preserved.
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Oberer Mannenberg Castle is a ruined castle in the municipality of Zweisimmen of the canton of Bern in Switzerland. It is a Swiss heritage site of national significance.
Neu-Signau Castle is a ruined castle in the municipality of Bowil in the canton of Bern in Switzerland.
Neu-Schauenburg is a ruined castle in the commune of Frenkendorf, Switzerland. It is located near the border of France and Germany, and little of the castle remains because of geological events.
Weissenburg Castle is a ruined castle in the municipality of Därstetten of the Canton of Bern in Switzerland.
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Alt-Süns Castle or Alt-Sins Castle German: Ruine Alt-Süns is a ruined castle in the municipality of Domleschg in the Viamala Region of the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland.
Neu-Süns Castle, Neu-Sins Castle or Canova is a ruined castle in the municipality of Domleschg in the Viamala Region of the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland.
Alt-Aspermont Castle is a ruined castle in the municipality of Trimmis of the Canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. It was once one of the largest castles in Graubünden, but today only a few small ruins remain.
The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a numeric commercial book identifier which is intended to be unique. Publishers purchase ISBNs from an affiliate of the International ISBN Agency.
The Historical Dictionary of Switzerland is an encyclopedia on the history of Switzerland that aims to take into account the results of modern historical research in a manner accessible to a broader audience.