Osterode am Harz
OSTERODE AM HARZ
State : Niedersachsen
District (Kreis) : Göttingen (until 2016 Osterode am Harz)
Additions : 1971 Freiheit, Katzenstein, Lasfelde, Petershütte, Schwiegershausen; 1972 Dorste, Förste, Hörden, Lerbach, Nienstedt, Riefensbeek-Kamschlacken
| German | Geteilt von Silber und Rot durch einen goldenen Kleeblattbogen; darauf zwei blaue Türme, der rechte mit roter Kuppel, der linke mit rotem Spitzdach; dazwischen schwebt ein rotes Tatzenkreuz; unten ein linkshin schreitender, blau bewehrter goldener Löwe. |
| English | am Harz No blazon/translation known. Please click here to send your (heraldic !) blazon or translation |
Origin/meaning
Osterode became a city in 1238 by the Welfen family. The first seal, dating from the middle of the 13th century shows the lion of the Welfen family below a walled city. In 1234 it was mentioned that Osterode had city walls. The cross is probably the sign of St. John Baptist, the patron saint of the city.
The arms never really changed through the centuries, except that until the 19th century a crowned O often was placed below the lion.
 The arms on a 1621 coin |
 Seal from around 1900 |
 Seal from around 1900 |
 Seal from around 1920 |
 The arms as shown in 1891 |
 The arms by Hupp in the Kaffee Hag albums +/- 1925 |
 The arms in the Abadie albums | |
 The arms on a special cancellation 1988 with Armentières |
 The arms on a special cancellation 1992 with Osterode in Ostpreussen |
Literature: Stadler,1964-1971, 8 volumes; Ahrens, 1891