Ruin Hohenbodman

Hohenbodman is a ruined hilltop castle standing at 658 metres above sea level above the Linzer Aach. It lies north of Überlingen in the village of Hohenbodman, part of the Owingen municipality in the Bodensee district of Baden-Württemberg. The site commands views over the Linzgau region and the Bodensee. The castle was built at the end of the 11th century by the Lords of Bodman and first mentioned in the 13th century. It later became a pledge of the Bishopric of Constance and was renovated between 1479 and 1481. The castle changed hands several times, passing to the Vogt of Überlingen in 1507. During the Thirty Years’ War it was captured and burned by Konrad Widerholt in 1642, leaving only the tower standing. The 37-metre-high keep remained in the possession of Überlingen until 1971, when it was transferred to Owingen. The tower has an outer circumference of 28 metres and an inner diameter of about 2.5 metres. In 1976 and again between 1996 and 1999 the community carried out extensive repairs and stabilisation work. Today the restored tower serves as an observation platform and landmark for Owingen. Visitors climb to the top for a wide view across the Salemer valley, the Bodensee and, on clear days, the Alps. The site is recognised as a protected monument and is maintained with support from Baden-Württemberg’s heritage programme. A copper roof now covers the tower, replacing an earlier tiled roof. The tower remains the most visible remnant of the medieval castle and a point of pride for the local community.