Maximiliansau
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Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of Germany - Deutsche Wappen (Gemeindewappen/Kreiswappen) |
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MAXIMILIANSAU
State : Rheinland-Pfalz
District (Kreis) : Germersheim
Incorporated into : 1979 Wörth am Rgein
Origin/meaning :
The arms were granted in 1953.
The arms show the important railway bridge over the river Rhine, as well as the letter S derived from the old village seals.
In the 18th century the village, then named Pfortz, used a seal with the letter S and an angel and leaves (above left). The S is most likely the old village sign, whose origin is not known.
In the 19th century a pontoon-bridge was built for a railway connecting both banks of the Rhine. The bridge was an initiative of King Maximilian II of Pfalz-Bayern and the villages was renamed in 1938 after the King. The colours of the arms were also derived from the colours of the arms of Bayern.
Literature : Stadler, K. : Deutsche Wappen - Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Angelsachsen Verlag, 1964-1971, 8 volumes.