Grafenau (Niederbayern)

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GRAFENAU

State : Bayern
District (Kreis) : Freyung-Grafenau (until 1973 Grafenau)
Additions : 1971 Rosenau; 1972 Großarmschlag; 1974 Neudorf; 1978 Haus im Wald (partly), Schlag

Official blazon

Unter Schildhaupt mit den bayerischen Rauten in Gold über absteigender silberner Zinnenmauer wachsend ein rot gezungter, schwarzer Bär.

Origin/meaning

Grafenau became a city in 1376. The arms were granted in 1508 by Duke Friedrich van Pfalz-Neuburg.

The upper part shows the diamonds of the Wittelsbach dynasty, from which the Duke descended. The lower part shows a city wall as a symbol for the city rights, whereas the bear is taken from the arms of the historical Lordship Bärnstein, in which the city was situated. The arms have thus never changed since.