Weissenburg in Bayern

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

WEISSENBURG IN BAYERN

State : Bayern
District (Kreis) : Weissenburg-Gunzenhausen
Additions : 1972 Dettenheim, Hagenbuch, Hattenhofen, Heuberg, Holzingen, Kattenhochstadt, Kehl, Niederhofen, Rothenstein, Weimersheim; 1978 Emetzheim, Haardt, Oberhochstadt, Suffersheim

Official blazon

In Rot eine silberne Burg mit zwei Zinnentürmen, darüber schwebend ein goldener Schild mit schwarzem Doppeladler.

Origin/meaning

The arms were granted on September 21, 1481 by Emperor Friedrich III. Older seals already showed a castle, sometimes combined with the imperial eagle. The arms are canting, showing a white castle (Weiss=white, Burg=castle). The imperial eagle indicates the importance of Weissenburg as an imperial city.

In 1808 the arms were changed, the eagle was replaced by the letter W, as the city now was part of Bayern. In 1835 the historical arms were restored, but with the addition of an angel as supporter. This angel was not much used and officially removed in 1967.