Soltau

SOLTAU

State : Niedersachsen
District (Kreis) : Heidekreis (until 1977 Soltau)
Additions : 1974 Ahlften, Brock, Deimern, Dittmern, Harber, Hötzingen, Leitzingen, Marbostel bei Soltau, Meinern, Mittelstendorf, Moide, Oeningen, Tetendorf, Wiedingen, Wolterdingen, Woltem

Official blazon
German	blazon wanted
English	blazon wanted

Origin/meaning

Soltau received city rights in 1383, but it did not develop into a large city. The oldest seal dates from around 1400 and shows the lion of the Welfen dynasty, as the city was a possession of the Dukes of Lüneburg from this dynasty. Later the lion appears in combination with a fortified gate, as a symbol for the city. Initially the lion was seen lying on the gate, but since the early 19^th century the lion appears from behind the gate. These arms thus have not changed since.