Ortenburg

Heraldry of the World
Civic heraldry of Germany - Deutsche Wappen (Gemeindewappen/Kreiswappen)

ORTENBURG

State : Bayern
District (Kreis) : Passau (until 1973 Vilshofen)
Additions : 1972 Königbach; 1978 Voglarn (partly), Wolfachau

Official blazon

In Rot ein gegenästiger silberner Schrägbalken.

Origin/meaning

The arms are those of the Counts of Ortenburg. The city was a free county for many centuries and did not form part of Bayern until 1803. In 1811 the local council mentioned that no historical arms of seals were known. A few years later the above arms appeared on the local seal and mayor's chain.

In 1576 Emperor Rudolf II intended to grant the city and county its own arms, as a concept grant of arms still exists. This grant showed a divided shield, with in the upper half the arms of the Counts of Ortenburg, and in the lower half a castle. As no seals or images of these arms have ever been found, it is likely that the arms were never officially granted.