Sigmaringen is a district (Kreis) in the south of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Neighboring districts are (from north clockwise) Reutlingen, Biberach, Ravensburg, Bodenseekreis, Constance and Zollernalbkreis.

History

The area of the district was owned by several different states historically. Before 1800 it was split between many minor rulers, then it became the border area between the Baden and Württemberg, and embedded in between was the duchy Sigmaringen.

The duchy Sigmaringen became part of Kingdom of Prussia in 1849, at that time it had the Oberamt Sigmaringen and the Oberamt Gammertingen. Both were merged into the Landkreis Sigmaringen in 1925. In 1973 the district was enlarged by adding municipalities from the neighboring districts Saulgau, Stockach, Überlingen and Reutlingen. A roughly equal portion of the districts area came from all the three historic states.

Geography

The district is located in the mountains of the Swabian Alb.

Coat of arms

The deer in the coat of arms is the symbol of the duchy of Sigmaringen as well as of the city of Sigmaringen. This symbol probably from the Counts of Peutengau-Hirschberg who were the Lords of Sigmaringen until 1253. Hirsch is German for deer. The red color with the white bar below the deer derives from the Austrian coat of arms, as part of district belonged there historically.

Towns and municipalities

External links

• Official website (German)