Burg Hohenfels, Castle ruin in Sipplingen, Germany

Burg Hohenfels, also called Alt-Hohenfels, is a ruined spur castle on a promontory at 598 m above sea level below the Haldenhof near Sipplingen. The highest point held a residential tower measuring 9.90 by 13.50 metres; remains of buildings and the ring wall survive. In spring 2009 the ruins were partly cleared of trees and shrubs, giving a clear view of the surviving layout.

Alt-Hohenfels was built between 1150 and 1190 by the lords of Hohenfels, likely ministeriales of the bishops of Constance, who held low jurisdiction over Sipplingen. In 1292 the family split and a branch moved to Neu-Hohenfels. The line died out, passing to Wolf von Jungingen, then in 1437 to the lords of Landenberg, and in 1479 to the hospital of Überlingen. After 1641 the castle fell into ruin following destruction.

The castle is named after the lords of Hohenfels, who held low jurisdiction over Sipplingen. The poet Burkart von Hohenfels, a member of this family, is remembered locally: the centuries-old Burkhartslinde lime tree, listed as a natural monument, and the Minnesängerstube in the nearby Haldenhof inn both bear his name.

The ruins sit on a spur at 598 m below the Haldenhof, northwest of Sipplingen. In spring 2009 the remains were partly cleared of trees and shrubs, so the layout of the former castle can now be read from the surviving walls. The site is reached on foot; no facilities stand at the ruins themselves.

The castle was cleared of trees and shrubs in spring 2009, which opened up a view over the remaining walls. The residential tower once stood on a footprint of 9.90 by 13.50 metres at the highest point of the spur.