Hohenfriedingen Castle

The castle Hohenfriedingen or Friedingen Castle, colloquially known as Friedinger Schlössle, is located near Friedingen, a district of Singen (Hohentwiel) in the Hegau region. On the Friedinger Schlossberg, a peak east of Friedingen, about 800 meters as the crow flies from the town center, Friedingen Castle stands at an elevation of 545.5 m above sea level. Its location, about 150 meters above Lake Constance, offers views over the Untersee, the volcanoes of the Hegau, and, with good visibility, the panorama of the Alps, sometimes even allowing a glimpse of the Mont Blanc massif.

The first unconfirmed mention of Hohenfriedingen Castle occurred around the year 914 by King Conrad I. Between 1170 and 1180, the castle was built by the Lords of Friedingen. In the 14th century, the castle was divided, and the Schwarz family from Constance became co-owners. In 1448, this share was sold to Frischhans von Bodman zu Möggingen. In 1476, the remaining share also fell to the Lords of Bodman.

During the Swabian War, the castle was destroyed in 1499 but subsequently rebuilt. In 1539, the Lords of Bodman sold the castle to the city of Radolfzell, which thus came into possession of the castle of its former liege lords. Another destruction occurred during the Thirty Years' War by the troops of Hohentwiel Fortress in 1647. Four years later, in 1651, the reconstruction of the castle began. This division is preserved to this day as the "Friedinger Schlössle."

Probably because the castle served as accommodation for a special unit of the Waffen-SS at the end of World War II, French troops destroyed the interior, which had been preserved until then, in 1945.

Today, the castle is used as an excursion restaurant. In summer, there is a beer garden in the courtyard, and knight's feasts, among other events, are held in the banquet hall.