Hohentwiel
Encyclopedia
Hohentwiel is an extinct volcano in the Hegau
region of Baden-Württemberg
in southern Germany
. About 20 miles (30 km) from Lake Constance
, it lies in the German city of Singen
.
Hohentwiel began forming, along with the chain of volcanoes in the Hegau region, about 7–8 million years ago, when a layer of volcanic ash and stone was laid down. The magma consists of Phonolite
. In the following millions of years, the core was opened 260 metres beneath the surface by the glaciers from the ice age. This formed the core that is now exposed, after the ensuing millions of years of erosion.
The fortress, whose ruins lie on top of Hohentwiel, was constructed in 914 using stone taken from the mountain itself by Burchard III, Duke of Swabia
. Originally, the Monastery of St. Georg was contained within the fortress, but in 1005 it was moved to Stein am Rhein
(now in Switzerland
), and the Swabian dukes lost control of Hohentwiel.
In the later Middle Ages the noble families von Singen-Twiel (12th–13th centuries), von Klingen (to 1300) and von Klingenberg (to 1521) resided here. In 1521, it was passed on to Duke Ulrich von Württemberg, who developed Hohentwiel into one of the strongest fortresses of his duchy. During this time, it began to be used as a prison and in 1526, Hans Müller von Bulgenbach
, a peasant commander, was imprisoned there prior to his execution.
The fortress resisted five imperial sieges in the Thirty Year War, served as a Württemberg prison in the 18th century and was destroyed in 1800 after being peacefully handed over by the French.
Today the former fortress Hohentwiel is the biggest castle ruin of Germany.
The modern city of Singen
nestles at the foot of the mountain.
Hegau
The Hegau is a formerly volcanic landscape in southern Germany extending around the industrial city of Singen , between Lake Constance in the east, the Rhine River in the south, the Danube River in the north and the Randen—as the southwestern mountains of the Swabian Alb are called—in the west.The...
region of Baden-Württemberg
Baden-Württemberg
Baden-Württemberg is one of the 16 states of Germany. Baden-Württemberg is in the southwestern part of the country to the east of the Upper Rhine, and is the third largest in both area and population of Germany's sixteen states, with an area of and 10.7 million inhabitants...
in southern Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. About 20 miles (30 km) from Lake Constance
Lake Constance
Lake Constance is a lake on the Rhine at the northern foot of the Alps, and consists of three bodies of water: the Obersee , the Untersee , and a connecting stretch of the Rhine, called the Seerhein.The lake is situated in Germany, Switzerland and Austria near the Alps...
, it lies in the German city of Singen
Singen
Singen is an industrial city in the very south of Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany and just north of the German-Swiss border.-Location:...
.
Hohentwiel began forming, along with the chain of volcanoes in the Hegau region, about 7–8 million years ago, when a layer of volcanic ash and stone was laid down. The magma consists of Phonolite
Phonolite
Phonolite is a rare igneous, volcanic rock of intermediate composition, with aphanitic to porphyritic texture....
. In the following millions of years, the core was opened 260 metres beneath the surface by the glaciers from the ice age. This formed the core that is now exposed, after the ensuing millions of years of erosion.
The fortress, whose ruins lie on top of Hohentwiel, was constructed in 914 using stone taken from the mountain itself by Burchard III, Duke of Swabia
Burchard III, Duke of Swabia
Burchard III was the count of Thurgau and Zürichgau, perhaps of Rhaetia, and then Duke of Swabia from 954 to his death....
. Originally, the Monastery of St. Georg was contained within the fortress, but in 1005 it was moved to Stein am Rhein
Stein am Rhein
Stein am Rhein is a municipality in the canton of Schaffhausen in Switzerland.The town has a well-preserved medieval centre, retaining the ancient street plan. The site of the city wall, and the city gates are preserved, though the former city wall now consists of houses...
(now in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
), and the Swabian dukes lost control of Hohentwiel.
In the later Middle Ages the noble families von Singen-Twiel (12th–13th centuries), von Klingen (to 1300) and von Klingenberg (to 1521) resided here. In 1521, it was passed on to Duke Ulrich von Württemberg, who developed Hohentwiel into one of the strongest fortresses of his duchy. During this time, it began to be used as a prison and in 1526, Hans Müller von Bulgenbach
Hans Müller von Bulgenbach
Hans Müller, also known as Hans Müller von Bulgenbach, , was a peasant leader during the German Peasants' War. After a career in the French military, he played a pivotal role in the initial peasant uprising at Stuhlingen, and organized peasant bands throughout southwestern Germany...
, a peasant commander, was imprisoned there prior to his execution.
The fortress resisted five imperial sieges in the Thirty Year War, served as a Württemberg prison in the 18th century and was destroyed in 1800 after being peacefully handed over by the French.
Today the former fortress Hohentwiel is the biggest castle ruin of Germany.
The modern city of Singen
Singen
Singen is an industrial city in the very south of Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany and just north of the German-Swiss border.-Location:...
nestles at the foot of the mountain.