Sigismund, Duke of Bavaria

For other nobles of the same name, please see Sigismund.

Sigismund of Bavaria (26 July 1439 – 1 February 1501) was a member of the Wittelsbach dynasty. He ruled as Duke of Bavaria-Munich from 1460 to 1467, and then as Duke of Bavaria-Dachau until his death.

Biography

Sigismund was a son of Albert III of Bavaria with Duchess Anna of Brunswick-Grubenhagen.

Sigismund of Bavaria, portrait by Jan Polack

Sigismund was Duke of Bavaria-Munich from 1460 to 1467, until 1463 together with his brother John IV, Duke of Bavaria. In 1467 he resigned in favor of his younger brother Albert IV and then kept only the new duchy of Bavaria-Dachau as his domain until his death.

In 1468 the foundation stone of the Frauenkirche in Munich was laid by Sigismund. He also ordered to enlarge Blutenburg Castle, to construct its chapel and to build the church St. Wolfgang in Pipping nearby. The redesign of the ducal court Alter Hof was initiated by Sigismund as well, who was generally a patron of the revival of Gothic arts in Bavaria.

Sigismund is buried in the Frauenkirche in Munich.

Ancestors