Gunzenhausen

Heraldry of the World
Civic heraldry of Germany - Deutsche Wappen (Gemeindewappen/Kreiswappen)

GUNZENHAUSEN

State : Bayern
District (Kreis) : Weissenburg-Gunzenhausen (until 1972 Gunzenhausen)
Additions : 1971 Cronheim, Filchenhard, Laubenzendel, Nordstetten, Oberasbach, Pflaumfeld, Schlungenhof, Stetten, Streudorf, Unterasbach, Unterwurmbach, Wald; 1978 Aha, Büchelberg, Frickenfelden

Official blazon

In Blau über silbernem Wellenbalken ein goldenes Fachwerkhaus.

Origin/meaning

Gunzenhausen became a city in 1349 and the oldest seal (known since 1402) has probably been made at the same time. It showed a canting house (Haus = house). In a later seal the house became just a framework of beams and was placed in perspective. This remained the same until the 19^th century when the framework was replaced by a small house and a wavy bar was added in the base of the arms, symbolising the Altmühl (see image below).

In 1937 the present arms were granted which were based on the oldest seal, except that the skeleton structure remained.