Alt-Signau Castle

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.

See also

• List of castles in Switzerland