Berchtesgaden

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

BERCHTESGADEN

State : Bayern
District (Kreis) : Berchtesgadener Land (until 1973 Berchtesgaden)
Additions : 1972 Au, Maria Gern, Salzberg (I know these three municipalities had arms, but I have no images, any image is welcome !)

Official blazon

Geviert mit Herzschild, darin die bayerischen Rauten; 1 und 4 in Rot schräg gekreuzt je ein goldener und ein silberner Schlüssel, 2 und 3 in Blau sechs silberne, drei zu zwei zu eins gestellte heraldische Lilien.

Origin/meaning

Until the 19^th century the local council used a seal with the local patron saint, St. Andrew, bearing a cross. The above arms were granted on December 15, 1891.

The two crossed keys are a symbol for St. Peter, patron saint of the Berchtesgaden Abbey (the Abbey formed a separate principality until 1803, when it was incorporated into Bayern), the fleur-de-lis are derived from the arms of the Counts of Sulzbach, founders of the Abbey in 1106.

The escutcheon shows the arms of Bayern.

The arms of Berchtesgaden on local emergency money

The arms in the Kaffee Hag albums +/- 1925

During the Hitler reign, Berchtesgaden was the seat of the summer house of Hitler. Hence the city was privileged and was allowed to add the swastika to the arms, as shown below. In 1945 the old arms were restored.