Præstø

From Heraldry of the World

Heraldry of the World
Civic heraldry of Denmark - Danmarks Kommunevåbener

PRÆSTØ

Region : Sjælland
Amt (until 2007) : Storstrøm (until 1970 Præstø)
Additions : 1970 Allerslev, Beldringe, Bårse, Jungshoved, Præstø Landdistrikt, Skibinge
Incorporated into: 2007 Vordingborg

Origin/meaning

The arms are known from a seal dating from 1519. The arms are canting, the name is derived from priest's island. It has been postulated that the figure is Martin Luther or the first Lutheran priest, but the arms predate the Reformation. The seals of the city always showed the priest, even though the images are not always very clear. On the seal from 1608 a star appears in the upper right corner, but this is removed later.

Seal of Præstø from 1519.	Seal of Præstø from 1584.
Seal of Præstø from 1608.	Seal of Præstø from 1655.
The arms as shown in the Kaffe Hag album from the 1930s.	The arms as shown on a cigarette card from 1926
The arms on a local manhole cover.