Dambach-la-Ville

DAMBACH-LA-VILLE

Département : Bas-Rhin

Official blazon

D'or au sapin de sinople terrassé de gueules, à l'ours de sable rampant contre le sapin.

Origin/meaning

The name Dambach is derived from the German Tannenbach, or stream near the pine trees, hence the pine in the arms. The town is situated in the Vosges mountains, near the Bernstein forest and estate. Bernstein means bear-stone, hence the bear in the arms. Another explanation for the bear is the following story :
Just after the village was founded a child was lost in the hills surrounding the village, when she came to face a bear, who was eating wild grapes. After the bear was driven away, the villagers decided to start to cultivate the grapes and ever since viticulture has been part of the village.