Offenburg

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OFFENBURG

State : Baden-Württemberg
District (Kreis) : Ortenaukreis (until 1973 Offenburg)
Additions : 1971 Bühl (Offenburg), Elgersweier, Fessenbach, Griesheim, Rammersweier, Waltersweier, Weier, Zell-Weierbach; 1973 Zunsweier; 1975 Bohlsbach, Windschläg

Official blazon
German	In Silber eine rote Burg mit geöffneten goldenen Torflügeln, aufgezogenem schwarzem Fallgatter und einem beknauften Dreiecksgiebel zwischen zwei Zinnentürmen.
English	No blazon/translation known. Please click here to send your (heraldic !) blazon or translation

Origin/meaning

Offenburg was a free imperial city from the 13^th century until 1803, when the city became a possession of Baden. The town was granted city rights in the 13^th century.

Between 1240 and 1803 the city was ruled by vassals for the German Emperor, such as the Margraves of Baden, the Counts of Fürstenberg and the Archdukes of Austria.

Regardless the actual ruler, the arms never changed. The arms show the image seen on the oldest seal of the city, which is probably made around 1260. All seals and images of the arms of the city have used the simple castle. Often in such cases the arms of the overlord (here the Emperor) or the local vassal were added in the gate. This never happened with Offenburg.

The seals of the city:

Seal from 1284-1595
Seal from 1417-1580
Seal from 1553-1627
Seal from 1553-1780
Seal from the 16th century
Seal from the 17th century
Seal from the 17th century
Seal from the 18th century
Seal from the 18th century
Seal from the 18th century
Seal from the 18th century
Seal from the 18th century
Seal from the 18th century
Seal from the 19th century
Seal from the 19th century
Seal from the 19th century
Seal from the 19th century
Seal from the 19th century
Seal from the 19th century
Seal from the 19th century
Seal from 1901

The arms in a 17th century manuscript	The arms in a 16th century manuscript
The arms in the Wappen-Sammlung (+/- 1910)	The arms in the Abadie albums
The arms by Hupp in the Kaffee Hag albums +/- 1925	The arms as used until 2009