High above Singen in the middle of the picturesque Hegau region lies the Hohentwiel fortress ruins on an extinct volcano – one of the largest ruins in Germany, known for its unique view. The beginnings of the fortress date back to 914, and it was used as a Württemberg state prison in the 18th century before Napoleon gave the order to destroy the castle complex. The Hohentwiel fortress ruins are known as the setting for a famous romance novel about Duchess Hadwig and the monk Ekkehard. Today, a bronze medallion in the fortress ruins commemorates this story. This special place in the Hegau region has unique flora and fauna and is therefore a protected nature reserve.
