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{{Expand German|topic=geo|date=February 2009|Sigmaringen}}
{{short description|City in Germany}}
{{short description|City in Germany}}
{{Infobox German location
{{Infobox German location
|type = Stadt
| type = Stadt
|image_photo = Sigmaringen August 2015.jpg
| image_photo = Sigmaringen August 2015.jpg
|image_coa = Wappen Sigmaringen.svg
| image_coa = Wappen Sigmaringen.svg
|coordinates = {{coord|48|5|12|N|9|12|59|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{Wikidatacoord|Q82858|display=inline,title}}
|image_plan = Karte Sigmaringen.png
| image_plan = Karte Sigmaringen.png
|state = Baden-Württemberg
| state = Baden-Württemberg
|region = Tübingen
| region = Tübingen
|district = Sigmaringen
| district = Sigmaringen
|elevation = 580
| elevation = 580
|area = 92.85
| area = 92.85
| mayor = Marcus Ehm<ref>[https://www.staatsanzeiger.de/staatsanzeiger/wahlen/buergermeisterwahlen/ Aktuelle Wahlergebnisse] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007172625/https://www.staatsanzeiger.de/staatsanzeiger/wahlen/buergermeisterwahlen/ |date=2021-10-07 }}, Staatsanzeiger, accessed 15 September 2021.</ref>
|postal_code = 72488
| leader_term = 2018&ndash;26
|area_code = 07571, 07570 (Gutenstein), 07577 (Jungnau)
|licence = SIG
| party = CDU
| postal_code = 72488
|Gemeindeschlüssel = 08 4 37 104
| area_code = 07571, 07570 (Gutenstein), 07577 (Jungnau)
|divisions = 6
| licence = SIG
|website = [http://www.sigmaringen.de/ www.sigmaringen.de]
| Gemeindeschlüssel = 08 4 37 104
|mayor = Marcus Ehm<ref>[https://www.staatsanzeiger.de/staatsanzeiger/wahlen/buergermeisterwahlen/ Aktuelle Wahlergebnisse], Staatsanzeiger, accessed 15 September 2021.</ref>
|leader_term = 2018&ndash;26
| divisions = 6
| website = [http://www.sigmaringen.de/ www.sigmaringen.de]
|party = CDU
}}
}}


'''Sigmaringen''' ([[Swabian German|Swabian]]: ''Semmerenga'') is a [[town]] in southern [[Germany]], in the state of [[Baden-Württemberg]]. Situated on the upper [[Danube]], it is the capital of the [[Sigmaringen (district)|Sigmaringen district]].
'''Sigmaringen''' ([[Swabian German|Swabian]]: ''Semmerenga'') is a town in southern Germany, in the state of [[Baden-Württemberg]]. Situated on the upper [[Danube]], it is the capital of the [[Sigmaringen (district)|Sigmaringen district]].


Sigmaringen is renowned for its castle, [[Schloss Sigmaringen]], which was the seat of the principality of [[Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen]] until 1850 and is still owned by the [[Hohenzollern]] family.
Sigmaringen is renowned for its castle, [[Schloss Sigmaringen]], which was the seat of the principality of [[Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen]] until 1850 and is still owned by the [[Hohenzollern]] family.


==Geography==
==Geography==
Sigmaringen lies in the Danube valley, surrounded by wooded hills south of the [[Swabian Alb]] and around 40&nbsp;km north of [[Lake Constance]].
Surrounded by wooded hills Sigmaringen lies in the Danube valley, south of the [[Swabian Alps]] and around 40&nbsp;km north of [[Lake Constance]].


The surrounding towns are [[Winterlingen]] (in the district of Zollernalb) and [[Veringenstadt]] in the north, [[Bingen, Baden-Württemberg|Bingen]], [[Sigmaringendorf]], and [[Scheer, Germany|Scheer]] in the east, [[Mengen, Germany|Mengen]], [[Krauchenwies]], [[Inzigkofen]], and [[Meßkirch]] in the south, and [[Leibertingen]], [[Beuron]], and [[Stetten am kalten Markt]] in the west.
The surrounding towns are [[Winterlingen]] (in the district of Zollernalb) and [[Veringenstadt]] in the north, [[Bingen, Baden-Württemberg|Bingen]], [[Sigmaringendorf]], and [[Scheer, Germany|Scheer]] in the east, [[Mengen, Germany|Mengen]], [[Krauchenwies]], [[Inzigkofen]], and [[Meßkirch]] in the south, and [[Leibertingen]], [[Beuron]], and [[Stetten am kalten Markt]] in the west.
The town is made up of the following districts: Sigmaringen town center, [[Gutenstein (Sigmaringen)|Gutenstein]], [[Jungnau]], [[Laiz]], Oberschmeien, and Unterschmeien.
The town is made up of the following districts: Sigmaringen town center, [[Gutenstein (Sigmaringen)|Gutenstein]], [[Jungnau]], Laiz, Oberschmeien, and Unterschmeien.


==History==
===Climate===
Sigmaringen's climate is classified as [[Humid continental climate|humid continental]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Dfb''; [[Trewartha climate classification|Trewartha]]: ''Dclo'').
Sigmaringen was first documented in 1077 and was part of the principality of [[Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen]] until 1850, after which it became the [[Prussia]]n [[Province of Hohenzollern]].
{{Weather box
|location = Sigmaringen (1991-2020)
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|collapsed = Yes
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan mean C =-0.7
| Feb mean C =-0.1
| Mar mean C =3.6
| Apr mean C =7.7
| May mean C =12.1
| Jun mean C =15.5
| Jul mean C =17.3
| Aug mean C =16.9
| Sep mean C =12.6
| Oct mean C =8.2
| Nov mean C =3.3
| Dec mean C =0.3
| year mean C =


| Jan precipitation mm =49.1
===Prehistory and early history===
| Feb precipitation mm =40.8
The history of settlement in the territory of the present town of Sigmaringen dates back to the [[Paleolithic]].{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}
| Mar precipitation mm =47.0
| Apr precipitation mm =52.6
| May precipitation mm =88.8
| Jun precipitation mm =91.6
| Jul precipitation mm =99.7
| Aug precipitation mm =83.5
| Sep precipitation mm =57.5
| Oct precipitation mm =56.9
| Nov precipitation mm =51.6
| Dec precipitation mm =59.6
| year precipitation mm =

|Jan sun = 62.6
|Feb sun = 89.2
|Mar sun = 140.7
|Apr sun = 178.2
|May sun = 200.2
|Jun sun = 217.6
|Jul sun = 235.6
|Aug sun = 222
|Sep sun = 165.8
|Oct sun = 112.2
|Nov sun = 66.1
|Dec sun = 53.2
|year sun =
|source 1 = ''[[Deutscher Wetterdienst]] (Precipitation at Laiz) ''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lufttemperatur: vieljährige Mittelwerte 1991 - 2020 |url=https://www.dwd.de/DE/leistungen/klimadatendeutschland/mittelwerte/temp_9120_SV_html.html?view=nasPublication&nn=771428 |website=dwd.de |publisher=Deutscher Wetterdienst |access-date=23 February 2024 |no-pp=y |language=German |trans-title=Air Temperature: Long-term averages for 1991-2020 |archive-date=1 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601102553/https://www.dwd.de/DE/leistungen/klimadatendeutschland/mittelwerte/temp_9120_SV_html.html?view=nasPublication&nn=771428 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.dwd.de/DE/leistungen/klimadatendeutschland/mittelwerte/nieder_9120_SV_html.html?view=nasPublication&nn=771428 |title=Niederschlag: vieljährige Mittelwerte 1991 - 2020 |access-date=23 February 2024 |website=dwd.de |publisher=Deutscher Wetterdienst |no-pp=y |language=German |trans-title=Precipitation: Long-term averages for 1991-2020 |archive-date=11 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711071242/https://www.dwd.de/DE/leistungen/klimadatendeutschland/mittelwerte/nieder_9120_SV_html.html?view=nasPublication&nn=771428 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.dwd.de/DE/leistungen/klimadatendeutschland/mittelwerte/sonne_9120_SV_html.html?view=nasPublication&nn=771428 |title=Sonnenscheindauer: vieljährige Mittelwerte 1991 - 2020 |website=dwd.de |publisher=Deutscher Wetterdienst |access-date=23 February 2024 |no-pp=y |language=German |trans-title=Sunshine: Long-term averages for 1991-2020 }}</ref>
}}

==History==
Sigmaringen was first attested in a document from in 1077 and was part of the principality of [[Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen]] from 1576 until 1850, after which it became the [[Prussia]]n [[Province of Hohenzollern]].


===Middle Ages===
===Middle Ages===
In the 11th century, the end of the [[Early Middle Ages]], the first castle was built on the rock that protected the valley. The first written reference<ref>Bericht in der Chronik des Kloster Petershausen: ''Von dort zog König Rudolf von Schwaben nach Burg ''Sigimaringin'' und belagerte sie. Als er aber erfuhr, dass König Heinrich IV. mit einem Heer über die Alpenpässe herannahte, um die Festung zu entsetzen, zog er ab und ging nach Sachsen.''</ref> dates from 1077, when King [[Rudolf of Rheinfelden]] tried in vain to conquer [[Sigmaringen Castle]]. The city was officially founded in 1250. In 1325, it was sold to [[Ulrich III, Count of Württemberg]]. In 1460 and 1500, the castle was rebuilt into a chateau. About the county of [[Werdenberg, Switzerland|Werdenberg]] Sigmaringen came in 1535 to the high noble family of the [[House of Hohenzollern|Hohenzollern]].
In the 11th century, in the end of the [[Early Middle Ages]], the first castle was built on the rock that protected the valley. The first written reference<ref>Bericht in der Chronik des Kloster Petershausen: ''Von dort zog König Rudolf von Schwaben nach Burg ''Sigimaringin'' und belagerte sie. Als er aber erfuhr, dass König Heinrich IV. mit einem Heer über die Alpenpässe herannahte, um die Festung zu entsetzen, zog er ab und ging nach Sachsen.''</ref> dates from 1077, when King [[Rudolf of Rheinfelden]] tried in vain to conquer [[Sigmaringen Castle]]. The city was officially founded in 1250. In 1325, it was sold to [[Ulrich III, Count of Württemberg]]. In 1460 and 1500, the castle was rebuilt into a chateau. About the county of [[Werdenberg, Switzerland|Werdenberg]] Sigmaringen came in 1535 to be owned by the high noble family of the [[House of Hohenzollern|Hohenzollern]].


===Modern times===
===Modern times===
[[File:Sigmaringen schloss.jpg|thumb|left|Sigmaringen, ca. 1900]]
[[File:Sigmaringen schloss.jpg|thumb|left|Sigmaringen, {{Circa|1900}}]]
[[File:ETH-BIB-Sigmaringen-Inlandflüge-LBS MH01-005924.tif|thumb|left|Sigmaringen, 1929]]
In 1632, the [[Swedes]] occupied the castle during the [[Thirty Years' War]].
In 1632, the [[Swedes]] occupied the castle during the [[Thirty Years' War]].


From 1806 to 1849, Sigmaringen was the [[Capital city|capital]] of the sovereign [[Principality]] [[Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen]] and [[royal residence|residence]] of the princes of Hohenzollern.
From 1806 to 1849, Sigmaringen was the capital of the sovereign [[Principality]] [[Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen]] and [[royal residence|residence]] of the princes of Hohenzollern.

As a result of the Sigmaringen Revolution of 1848, the Princes of Hechingen and Sigmaringen abdicated, whereby both principalities fell to [[Prussia]] in 1850. From 1850 to 1945, Sigmaringen was the seat of the [[Prussia]]n Government for the [[Province of Hohenzollern]]. Karl Anton von Hohenzollern was 1858-1862 Prime Minister of Prussia.
As a result of the Sigmaringen Revolution of 1848, the Princes of Hechingen and Sigmaringen abdicated, whereby both principalities fell to [[Prussia]] in 1850. From 1850 to 1945, Sigmaringen was the seat of the [[Prussia]]n Government for the [[Province of Hohenzollern]]. Karl Anton von Hohenzollern was 1858-1862 Prime Minister of Prussia.
From 1914 to 1918, around 150 men from the town lost their lives during [[World War I]].
From 1914 to 1918, around 150 men from the town died during [[World War I]].
In the Nazi era, a [[Gestapo]] office was located in Sigmaringen. From 1937, it belonged to [[Stuttgart]]'s Gestapo.<ref>Ingrid Bauz, Sigrid Brueggemann, Roland Maier (eds.). The secret police in Württemberg and Hohenzollern. Stuttgart 2013, {{ISBN|3-89657-138-9}}, p 90ff.</ref>
In the Nazi era, a [[Gestapo]] office was located in Sigmaringen. From 1937, it belonged to [[Stuttgart]]'s Gestapo.<ref>Ingrid Bauz, Sigrid Brueggemann, Roland Maier (eds.). The secret police in Württemberg and Hohenzollern. Stuttgart 2013, {{ISBN|3-89657-138-9}}, p 90ff.</ref>


Between 1934 and 1942, more than 100 men were sterilized because of "hereditary diseases". On 12 December 1940, during the Nazi medical experiments known as the "[[Aktion T4|T4]]", 71 mentally handicapped and mentally ill patients became the victims of Nazi injustice. These men and women were deported to the [[Grafeneck Euthanasia Centre]], where they were killed as "unworthy of life".<ref>Thomas Stöckle, ''Grafeneck 1940. The euthanasia crimes in East Germany.'' 2nd Edition. Silberburg-Verlag, Tübingen 2005, {{ISBN|3-87407-507-9}}. Thomas Stöckle, head of Memorial in Grafeneck emphasizes that these are preliminary. Basis of the figures are statistical material from the Grafeneck process of 1949 and reports of the individual dispensing stations</ref> After the closure of Grafeneck in December 1940, a further deportation to the [[Hadamar Euthanasia Centre]] occurred on 14 March 1941.
Between 1934 and 1942, more than 100 men were sterilized because of "hereditary diseases". On 12 December 1940, during the Nazi medical experiments known as the "[[Aktion T4|T4]]", 71 mentally disabled and mentally ill patients became the victims of Nazi injustice. These men and women were deported to the [[Grafeneck Euthanasia Centre]], where they were killed as "unworthy of life".<ref>Thomas Stöckle, ''Grafeneck 1940. The euthanasia crimes in East Germany.'' 2nd Edition. Silberburg-Verlag, Tübingen 2005, {{ISBN|3-87407-507-9}}. Thomas Stöckle, head of Memorial in Grafeneck emphasizes that these are preliminary. Basis of the figures are statistical material from the Grafeneck process of 1949 and reports of the individual dispensing stations</ref> After the closure of Grafeneck in December 1940, a further deportation to the [[Hadamar Euthanasia Centre]] occurred on 14 March 1941.


====Vichy French enclave (1944–1945)====
====Vichy French enclave (1944–1945)====
{{Main|Sigmaringen enclave}}
{{Main|Sigmaringen enclave}}
[[File:Sigmaringen Schloss 2015-04-29 15-52-34.jpg|right|thumb|The Castle of Sigmaringen]]
[[File:Schloss Sigmaringen 2022.jpg|right|thumb|The Castle of Sigmaringen]]


On 7 September 1944, following the [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] invasion of [[France]], [[Philippe Pétain]] and members of the [[Vichy France|Vichy government]] cabinet were relocated to Germany. A [[city-state]] ruled by the [[government in exile]] headed by [[Fernand de Brinon]] was established at Sigmaringen. There were three embassies in the city-state, representing each of Vichy-France's allies: Germany, [[Italian Social Republic|Italy]], and [[Empire of Japan|Japan]].
On 7 September 1944, following the [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] invasion of France, [[Philippe Pétain]] and members of the [[Vichy France|Vichy government]] cabinet were relocated to Germany, a move which Petain fiercely fought against. A [[city-state]] ruled by the [[government in exile]] headed by [[Fernand de Brinon]] was established at Sigmaringen. One of his most notorious members was [[Joseph Darnand]], hero of [[First World War]] and who, because of his deep admiration for Petain (for him, he was the "Victor of [[Battle of Verdun|Verdun]]"), he followed to the bitter end, his execution by fire squad. There were three embassies in the city-state, representing each of Vichy-France's allies: Germany, [[Italian Social Republic|Italy]], and [[Empire of Japan|Japan]].


French writers [[Louis-Ferdinand Céline]], [[Lucien Rebatet]] and [[Roland Gaucher]], fearing for their lives because of their political and anti-Semitic writings, fled along with the Vichy government to Sigmaringen. Céline's novel ''D'un château l'autre'' (English: ''[[Castle to Castle]]'') describes the fall of Sigmaringen. The city was taken by [[Free French]] forces on 22 April 1945. Pétain returned to France, where he stood trial for treason.
French writers [[Louis-Ferdinand Céline]], [[Lucien Rebatet]] and [[Roland Gaucher]], fearing for their lives because of their political and antisemitic writings, fled along with the Vichy government to Sigmaringen. Céline's novel ''D'un château l'autre'' (English: ''[[Castle to Castle]]'') describes the fall of Sigmaringen. The city was taken by [[Free French]] forces on 22 April 1945. Pétain returned to France, where he stood trial for treason and was condemned to death, though the sentence was commuted by [[Charles de Gaulle]].{{cn|date=January 2024}}

==Religions==
The following religions are present in Sigmaringen:{{Citation needed|date=January 2015}}
* [[Catholic Church]]
* [[Evangelische Landeskirche in Württemberg]]
* Evangelische Militärkirchengemeinde
* [[Pentecostalism]]
* [[Jehovah's Witnesses]]
* [[New Apostolic Church]]


==Transportation infrastructure==
==Transportation infrastructure==
Line 74: Line 115:


Sigmaringen lies in the serving area of Verkehrsverbund Neckar-Alb-Donau (NALDO).<ref>[[:de:Verkehrsverbund Neckar-Alb-Donau]]</ref>
Sigmaringen lies in the serving area of Verkehrsverbund Neckar-Alb-Donau (NALDO).<ref>[[:de:Verkehrsverbund Neckar-Alb-Donau]]</ref>

==Notable residents==
Sigmaringen was the birthplace of [[Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen]], a Roman Catholic martyr of the [[Counter-Reformation]] in Switzerland, and [[Ferdinand of Romania]], King of [[Romania]]. It was one of the residences of deceased [[Prince Friedrich Wilhelm of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen]], the late representative of the house, who was the first in the line of succession to the throne of Romania, by Salic law. [[Frederick Miller]], founder of the [[Miller Brewing Company]], was living in Sigmaringen during the start of his brewing career.

==People who worked locally==

* [[Louis-Ferdinand Céline]] (1894–1961), pro-Nazi and antisemitic French writer, fled in 1944 to Sigmaringen, along with several members of the Vichy government.
* [[Lucien Rebatet]] (1903–1972), pro-Nazi and antisemitic French writer, fled in 1944 to Sigmaringen, along with several members of the Vichy government.
* [[Winfried Kretschmann]] (born 1948), politician, Minister-President of Baden-Württemberg (The Greens), lives in the district of Laiz.


==Notable people==
==Notable people==
[[File:Pfärrenbach Wandmalerei Fidelis von Sigmaringen.jpg|140px|thumb|[[Fidelis of Sigmaringen]] ]]

[[File:180913 Kretschmann Hybrid Faehre 01 (cropped).jpg|thumb|140px|[[Winfried Kretschmann]], 2018]]
* Rosina Gräf genannt Nellin (born in Sigmaringen, died 1577) not guilty in fire as witch<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hegeler|first1=Hartmut|title=Namen der Opfer der Hexenprozesse/ Hexenverfolgung in Rottweil |url=http://www.anton-praetorius.de/downloads/namenslisten/Namen%20der%20Opfer%20der%20Hexenprozesse%20Rottweil.pdf |access-date=Sep 19, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Rottweils Hexen und Zauberer werden rehabilitiert |date=15 April 2015 |language=de |url=http://www.nrwz.de/nrwz-themen/aus-rottweil/rottweils-hexen-und-zauberer-werden-rehabilitiert/20150415-2109-87064 |website=NRWZ.de |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525123306/http://www.nrwz.de/nrwz-themen/aus-rottweil/rottweils-hexen-und-zauberer-werden-rehabilitiert/20150415-2109-87064 |archive-date=2015-05-25 }}</ref>
* [[Fidelis of Sigmaringen]] (1577-1622), a Roman Catholic [[Order of Friars Minor Capuchin|Capuchin]] martyr of the [[Counter-Reformation]] in Switzerland.<ref>{{cite CE1913|wstitle= St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen |volume= 6 |last= Cuthbert | Father |author-link= |short=1 }}</ref>
* [[Richard Lauchert]] (1825–1868), painter and professor
* Rosina Gräf genannt Nellin (born in Sigmaringen, died 1577) not guilty in fire as witch<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hegeler |first1=Hartmut |title=Namen der Opfer der Hexenprozesse/ Hexenverfolgung in Rottweil |url=http://www.anton-praetorius.de/downloads/namenslisten/Namen%20der%20Opfer%20der%20Hexenprozesse%20Rottweil.pdf |access-date=19 September 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Rottweils Hexen und Zauberer werden rehabilitiert |date=15 April 2015 |language=de |url=http://www.nrwz.de/nrwz-themen/aus-rottweil/rottweils-hexen-und-zauberer-werden-rehabilitiert/20150415-2109-87064 |website=NRWZ.de |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525123306/http://www.nrwz.de/nrwz-themen/aus-rottweil/rottweils-hexen-und-zauberer-werden-rehabilitiert/20150415-2109-87064 |archive-date=25 May 2015 }}</ref>
* [[Theodor Bilharz]] (1825–1862), physician and scientist
* [[Frederick Miller]] (1824–1888) was a US brewery owner, founded [[Miller Brewing Company]], learned brewing locally
* [[Carol I of Romania]] (1839-1914), King of Romania
* [[Richard Lauchert]] (1825–1868), portrait painter and professor
* [[Ferdinand I of Romania]] (1865-1927), King of Romania
* [[Theodor Bilharz]] (1825–1862), physician and scientist, made discoveries re [[parasitology]].
* [[Sophie Stehle]] (1838–1921), an operatic soprano.
* [[Virgilia Lütz]] (1869–1949), a Benedictine [[abbess]] of [[Nonnberg Abbey]] in Salzburg, 1921 to 1949.
* [[Max Giese]] (1879–1935), contractor, inventor of the concrete pump
* [[Max Giese]] (1879–1935), contractor, inventor of the concrete pump
* [[Josef Henselmann]] (1898–1987), sculptor and longtime head of the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich
* [[Louis-Ferdinand Céline]] (1894–1961), pro-Nazi and antisemitic French writer, fled to Sigmaringen in 1944.
* [[Josef Henselmann]] (1898–1987), sculptor and longtime head of the [[Academy of Fine Arts, Munich]]
* [[Franz Gog]] (1907–1980), a member of the state parliament in Württemberg-Hohenzollern and later Baden-Württemberg, was a judge in Sigmaringen
* [[Lucien Rebatet]] (1903–1972), pro-Nazi and antisemitic French writer, fled to Sigmaringen in 1944.
* [[Prince Johann Georg of Hohenzollern|Johann Georg of Hohenzollern]] (1932–2016), art historian and museum director
* [[:de:Franz Gog|Franz Gog, (DE Wiki)]] (1907–1980), local politician (CDU) and judge in Sigmaringen where he died
* [[Hermann Schwörer]] (1922-2017), lawyer, entrepreneur and politician (CDU), was a recipient of the Medal of Merit of the State of Baden-Württemberg as of 1998
* [[Hermann Schwörer]] (1922-2017), lawyer, entrepreneur and politician (CDU)
* [[Karl Lehmann]] (1936-2018), Cardinal and Bishop of Mainz, from 1987 to 2008 chairman of the German Bishops' Conference
* [[Karl Lehmann]] (1936-2018), Cardinal and Bishop of Mainz, 1987 to 2008, chairman, [[German Bishops' Conference]]
* [[Lothar Späth]] (1937–2016), politician (CDU), former Prime Minister of Baden-Württemberg
* [[Lothar Späth]] (1937–2016), politician (CDU), former Prime Minister of Baden-Württemberg
* [[Dietmar Schlee]] (1938-2002), politician (CDU), holder of the Medal of Merit of the State of Baden-Württemberg since 1989
* [[:de:Dietmar Schlee|Dietmar Schlee, (DE Wiki)]] (1938-2002), local politician (CDU)
* [[Norbert Lins]] (born 1977), politician (CDU), Member of the European Parliament, looks after the administrative district of Tübingen
* [[Winfried Kretschmann]] (born 1948), politician, Minister-President of Baden-Württemberg (The Greens), lives in the district of Laiz.
* [[Norbert Lins]] (born 1977), local politician (CDU), [[Member of the European Parliament|MEP]], for Tübingen area
* [[Pascal Wehrlein]] (born 1994), [[Formula 1|Formula 1 racing driver]]
* [[Marcel Heister]] (born 1992 in [[Albstadt]]), footballer who has played over 280 games
* [[Pascal Wehrlein]] (born 1994), former [[Formula 1]] and current [[Formula E]] racing driver

=== Aristocracy ===
* [[Karl Friedrich, Prince of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen]] (1724–1785), Prince of [[Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen]], born locally
* [[Karl, Prince of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen]] (1785–1853), reigning Prince of [[Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen]], born locally
* [[Karl Anton, Prince of Hohenzollern (born 1811)|Karl Anton, Prince of Hohenzollern]] (1811-1885), the last prince of [[Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen]], born and died locally
* [[Carol I of Romania]] (1839-1914), King of Romania from 1866 to his death in 1914; born locally
* [[Ferdinand I of Romania]] (1865–1927), King of [[Romania]], 1914 until his death in 1927; born locally
* [[Princess Urraca of Bourbon-Two Sicilies]] (1913-1999), member of the [[House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies]] died locally
* [[Prince Friedrich Wilhelm of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen]] (1924–2010), head of the [[House of Hohenzollern#Swabian branch|House of Hohenzollern]], 1965-2010, died locally.
* [[Prince Johann Georg of Hohenzollern]] (1932–2016), art historian and museum director, born and buried locally
* [[Karl Friedrich von Hohenzollern]] (born 1952), head of the Catholic [[House of Hohenzollern#Swabian branch]], born locally

==Twin towns==
* {{flagicon|Austria}} [[Feldkirch, Vorarlberg|Feldkirch]], Vorarlberg, Austria


==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
* {{Cite book |last=Mauthner |first=Martin |year=2016 |title=Otto Abetz and His Paris Acolytes: French Writers Who Flirted with Fascism, 1930–1945 |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/1845197844#reader_1845197844 |location=Eastbourne, England |publisher=Sussex Academic Press |isbn=978-1-84519-784-1 |oclc=987647015}}
* {{Cite book |last=Mauthner |first=Martin |year=2016 |title=Otto Abetz and His Paris Acolytes: French Writers Who Flirted with Fascism, 1930–1945 |location=Eastbourne, England |publisher=Sussex Academic Press |isbn=978-1-84519-784-1 |oclc=987647015 }}


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Vichy France]]
[[Category:Vichy France]]
[[Category:Sigmaringen (district)]]
[[Category:Sigmaringen (district)]]
[[Category:Province of Hohenzollern]]

Latest revision as of 19:47, 3 November 2024

Sigmaringen
Town
Coat of arms of Sigmaringen
Coat of arms
Location of Sigmaringen within Sigmaringen district
Alb-Donau-KreisBodenseekreisBiberach (district)Konstanz (district)Ravensburg (district)Reutlingen (district)Tuttlingen (district)ZollernalbkreisBad SaulgauBeuronBingenGammertingenHerbertingenHerdwangen-SchönachHettingenHohentengenIllmenseeInzigkofenKrauchenwiesLeibertingenMengenMengenMeßkirchNeufraOstrachPfullendorfSauldorfScheerSchwenningenSigmaringenSigmaringendorfSigmaringendorfStetten am kalten MarktVeringenstadtWald
Sigmaringen is located in Germany
Sigmaringen
Sigmaringen
Sigmaringen is located in Baden-Württemberg
Sigmaringen
Sigmaringen
Coordinates: 48°5′13″N 9°13′0″E / 48.08694°N 9.21667°E / 48.08694; 9.21667
CountryGermany
StateBaden-Württemberg
Admin. regionTübingen
DistrictSigmaringen
Subdivisions6
Government
 • Mayor (2018–26) Marcus Ehm[1] (CDU)
Area
 • Total
92.85 km2 (35.85 sq mi)
Elevation
580 m (1,900 ft)
Population
 (2022-12-31)[2]
 • Total
18,375
 • Density200/km2 (510/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
Postal codes
72488
Dialling codes07571, 07570 (Gutenstein), 07577 (Jungnau)
Vehicle registrationSIG
Websitewww.sigmaringen.de

Sigmaringen (Swabian: Semmerenga) is a town in southern Germany, in the state of Baden-Württemberg. Situated on the upper Danube, it is the capital of the Sigmaringen district.

Sigmaringen is renowned for its castle, Schloss Sigmaringen, which was the seat of the principality of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen until 1850 and is still owned by the Hohenzollern family.

Geography

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Surrounded by wooded hills Sigmaringen lies in the Danube valley, south of the Swabian Alps and around 40 km north of Lake Constance.

The surrounding towns are Winterlingen (in the district of Zollernalb) and Veringenstadt in the north, Bingen, Sigmaringendorf, and Scheer in the east, Mengen, Krauchenwies, Inzigkofen, and Meßkirch in the south, and Leibertingen, Beuron, and Stetten am kalten Markt in the west. The town is made up of the following districts: Sigmaringen town center, Gutenstein, Jungnau, Laiz, Oberschmeien, and Unterschmeien.

Climate

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Sigmaringen's climate is classified as humid continental (Köppen: Dfb; Trewartha: Dclo).

Climate data for Sigmaringen (1991-2020)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Daily mean °C (°F) −0.7
(30.7) 		−0.1
(31.8) 		3.6
(38.5) 		7.7
(45.9) 		12.1
(53.8) 		15.5
(59.9) 		17.3
(63.1) 		16.9
(62.4) 		12.6
(54.7) 		8.2
(46.8) 		3.3
(37.9) 		0.3
(32.5) 		8.1
(46.5)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 49.1
(1.93) 		40.8
(1.61) 		47.0
(1.85) 		52.6
(2.07) 		88.8
(3.50) 		91.6
(3.61) 		99.7
(3.93) 		83.5
(3.29) 		57.5
(2.26) 		56.9
(2.24) 		51.6
(2.03) 		59.6
(2.35) 		778.7
(30.67)
Mean monthly sunshine hours 62.6 89.2 140.7 178.2 200.2 217.6 235.6 222 165.8 112.2 66.1 53.2 1,743.4
Source: Deutscher Wetterdienst (Precipitation at Laiz) [3][4][5]

History

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Sigmaringen was first attested in a document from in 1077 and was part of the principality of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen from 1576 until 1850, after which it became the Prussian Province of Hohenzollern.

Middle Ages

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In the 11th century, in the end of the Early Middle Ages, the first castle was built on the rock that protected the valley. The first written reference[6] dates from 1077, when King Rudolf of Rheinfelden tried in vain to conquer Sigmaringen Castle. The city was officially founded in 1250. In 1325, it was sold to Ulrich III, Count of Württemberg. In 1460 and 1500, the castle was rebuilt into a chateau. About the county of Werdenberg Sigmaringen came in 1535 to be owned by the high noble family of the Hohenzollern.

Modern times

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Sigmaringen, c. 1900
Sigmaringen, 1929

In 1632, the Swedes occupied the castle during the Thirty Years' War.

From 1806 to 1849, Sigmaringen was the capital of the sovereign Principality Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen and residence of the princes of Hohenzollern.

As a result of the Sigmaringen Revolution of 1848, the Princes of Hechingen and Sigmaringen abdicated, whereby both principalities fell to Prussia in 1850. From 1850 to 1945, Sigmaringen was the seat of the Prussian Government for the Province of Hohenzollern. Karl Anton von Hohenzollern was 1858-1862 Prime Minister of Prussia. From 1914 to 1918, around 150 men from the town died during World War I. In the Nazi era, a Gestapo office was located in Sigmaringen. From 1937, it belonged to Stuttgart's Gestapo.[7]

Between 1934 and 1942, more than 100 men were sterilized because of "hereditary diseases". On 12 December 1940, during the Nazi medical experiments known as the "T4", 71 mentally disabled and mentally ill patients became the victims of Nazi injustice. These men and women were deported to the Grafeneck Euthanasia Centre, where they were killed as "unworthy of life".[8] After the closure of Grafeneck in December 1940, a further deportation to the Hadamar Euthanasia Centre occurred on 14 March 1941.

Vichy French enclave (1944–1945)

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Main article: Sigmaringen enclave
The Castle of Sigmaringen

On 7 September 1944, following the Allied invasion of France, Philippe Pétain and members of the Vichy government cabinet were relocated to Germany, a move which Petain fiercely fought against. A city-state ruled by the government in exile headed by Fernand de Brinon was established at Sigmaringen. One of his most notorious members was Joseph Darnand, hero of First World War and who, because of his deep admiration for Petain (for him, he was the "Victor of Verdun"), he followed to the bitter end, his execution by fire squad. There were three embassies in the city-state, representing each of Vichy-France's allies: Germany, Italy, and Japan.

French writers Louis-Ferdinand Céline, Lucien Rebatet and Roland Gaucher, fearing for their lives because of their political and antisemitic writings, fled along with the Vichy government to Sigmaringen. Céline's novel D'un château l'autre (English: Castle to Castle) describes the fall of Sigmaringen. The city was taken by Free French forces on 22 April 1945. Pétain returned to France, where he stood trial for treason and was condemned to death, though the sentence was commuted by Charles de Gaulle.[citation needed]

Transportation infrastructure

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Three railways meet in Sigmaringen, the Ulm–Sigmaringen railway leading to Ulm, the Tübingen–Sigmaringen railway from Tübingen to Aulendorf and connecting to the Tuttlingen–Inzigkofen railway to Tuttlingen, and the Engstingen–Sigmaringen railway operated by the Hohenzollerische Landesbahn.

Sigmaringen lies in the serving area of Verkehrsverbund Neckar-Alb-Donau (NALDO).[9]

Notable people

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Fidelis of Sigmaringen
Winfried Kretschmann, 2018

Aristocracy

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Twin towns

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Bibliography

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  • Mauthner, Martin (2016). Otto Abetz and His Paris Acolytes: French Writers Who Flirted with Fascism, 1930–1945. Eastbourne, England: Sussex Academic Press. ISBN 978-1-84519-784-1. OCLC 987647015.

References

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  1. ^ Aktuelle Wahlergebnisse Archived 2021-10-07 at the Wayback Machine, Staatsanzeiger, accessed 15 September 2021.
  2. ^ "Bevölkerung nach Nationalität und Geschlecht am 31. Dezember 2022" [Population by nationality and sex as of December 31, 2022] (CSV) (in German). Statistisches Landesamt Baden-Württemberg. June 2023.
  3. ^ "Lufttemperatur: vieljährige Mittelwerte 1991 - 2020" [Air Temperature: Long-term averages for 1991-2020]. dwd.de (in German). Deutscher Wetterdienst. Archived from the original on 1 June 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  4. ^ "Niederschlag: vieljährige Mittelwerte 1991 - 2020" [Precipitation: Long-term averages for 1991-2020]. dwd.de (in German). Deutscher Wetterdienst. Archived from the original on 11 July 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  5. ^ "Sonnenscheindauer: vieljährige Mittelwerte 1991 - 2020" [Sunshine: Long-term averages for 1991-2020]. dwd.de (in German). Deutscher Wetterdienst. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  6. ^ Bericht in der Chronik des Kloster Petershausen: Von dort zog König Rudolf von Schwaben nach Burg Sigimaringin und belagerte sie. Als er aber erfuhr, dass König Heinrich IV. mit einem Heer über die Alpenpässe herannahte, um die Festung zu entsetzen, zog er ab und ging nach Sachsen.
  7. ^ Ingrid Bauz, Sigrid Brueggemann, Roland Maier (eds.). The secret police in Württemberg and Hohenzollern. Stuttgart 2013, ISBN 3-89657-138-9, p 90ff.
  8. ^ Thomas Stöckle, Grafeneck 1940. The euthanasia crimes in East Germany. 2nd Edition. Silberburg-Verlag, Tübingen 2005, ISBN 3-87407-507-9. Thomas Stöckle, head of Memorial in Grafeneck emphasizes that these are preliminary. Basis of the figures are statistical material from the Grafeneck process of 1949 and reports of the individual dispensing stations
  9. ^ de:Verkehrsverbund Neckar-Alb-Donau
  10. ^ Cuthbert (1909). "St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen" . Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 6.
  11. ^ Hegeler, Hartmut. "Namen der Opfer der Hexenprozesse/ Hexenverfolgung in Rottweil" (PDF). Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  12. ^ "Rottweils Hexen und Zauberer werden rehabilitiert". NRWZ.de (in German). 15 April 2015. Archived from the original on 25 May 2015.
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