Villach

Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of Austria - Österreichische Gemeindewappen

VILLACH

State : Kärnten
District : Villach

Origin/meaning :
Villach has used arms since at least 1240. The arms were always beautifully simple, i.e. an eagle's leg ("Adlerfang"), although of course the design changed according to fashion. The arms used now takes up a design of about 1270 and were formally granted in 1965.

The tinctures of black (sable) and gold (or) are taken from the arms of the Hochstift (Free State) of Bamberg, to which the city was subject for more than 700 years.

There is no explanation known for the unusual charge. It has been suggested that the arms were originally used by a judge or another civic dignitary and were then passed on to the city.

Literature : Image provided by Karl Palfrader (k.palfrader@aon.at), Dieter Neumann, Siegel und Wappen der Stadt Villach. In: Neues aus Alt-Villach. Jahrbuch des Stadtmuseum, vol 33 (1996), 101-116 (illustrated)