Kelheim
KELHEIM
State : Bayern
District (Kreis) : Kelheim
Additions : 1937 Affecking; 1946 Gronsdorf; 1972 Stausacker; 1975 Weltenburg; 1976 Staubing; 1978 Herrnsal, Kapfelberg, Kelheimwinzer, Lohstadt, Thaldorf
| German | In Rot über blauen und silbernen Wellen eine silberne Burg mit offenem Tor und zwei spitzbedachten Zinnentürmen; zwischen ihnen schwebend ein gelehntes Schildchen mit den bayerischen Rauten. |
| English | No blazon/translation known. Please click here to send your (heraldic !) blazon or translation |
Origin/meaning
The arms were granted on August 1, 1950.
The arms are based on the oldest known seal of the city. The seal probably dates from around 1280 and is known since 1292. The arms show a city wall with two towers on the bank of the Donau river. Between the two towers a small shield with the arms of the Wittelsbach family is shown. The family ruled the city since the 13th century until 1918 (as Dukes and Kings of Bayern).Since 1523 the small shield showed the new city arms; a combination of the diamonds of the Wittelsbach family and a grape vine. The latter most likely was a symbol for the importance of the viticulture for the area. These arms were used until 1809.
On December 18, 1809 the city received new arms from King Max I Joseph of Bayern.
These arms showed a lion holding a sword and sceptre on the shield with the diamonds. The arms refer to the sacrifices the city had to take during the war against Austria in 1709. These arms have been used until 1950.
The city seal of 1292
The arms in the late 15th century
The arms in a manuscript +/- 1530
The arms by Apian (1559)
The arms in a manuscript from 1599
The arms in a 16th century manuscript
The arms in an album from around 1910
The arms in the Wappen-Sammlung (+/- 1910)
The pre 1809 arms in the Kaffee Hag albums +/- 1925
The 1809 arms in the Kaffee Hag albums +/- 1925
The arms in an album from 1968
Literature: Stadler, 1964-1971, 8 volumes; Hupp, O: Kaffee Hag albums, 1920s