Olpe

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OLPE

State : Nordrhein-Westfalen
District (Kreis) : Olpe
Amt : Olpe (until 1858)
Additions : 1969 Helden (partly), Kleusheim, Olpe-Land, Rhode

Official blazon

German

In Rot auf flach gewölbtem grünen Schild fuß der heilige Martin in ritterlichem blauen Gewand, mit goldenem Haupthaar und Heiligenschein, Gesicht und Hände in natürlichen Farben, auf silbernem Pferd, mit goldenen Hufen und goldenem Zaumzeug, mit silbernem Schwert seinen silbernen Mantel teilend, vor ihm ein kniender, bis auf einen silbernen Schurz unbekleideter Bettler in natürlichen Farben mit goldenem Haupt haar; rechts ein quadratisches silbernes Obereck mit durchgehendem schwarzen Kreuz.

Origin/meaning

The arms were granted on June 6, 1911 and again on October 2, 1970.

Saint Martin is the patron saint of Olpe, which was granted city rights in 1311 by the Bishops of Köln. In 1311 the patron saint of the city was St. James, which was replaced shortly after by St. Martin. The small shield in the upper right corner shows the cross of the State of Köln. All old seals of the city show St. Martin, but the cross was added in 1911 when the arms were officially granted.