Thurnau

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

THURNAU

State : Bayern
District (Kreis) : Kulmbach
Additions : 1972 Berndorf, Hutschdorf, Tannfeld; 1973 Menchau; 1975 Allador; 1978, Limmersdorf (1971 Felkendorf)

Official blazon

In Rot ein über Eck gestellter silberner Zinnenturm, der mit einem von Silber und Rot gevierten Schild belegt ist; 1 und 4: nebeneinander zwei aufrechte rote Schafscheren, 2 und 3: ein silberner Schwan.

Origin/meaning

The arms first appear on the seal of the town from the late 16^th century. The tower is the local watchtower, as Thurnau was a fortified town. The arms on the tower are a combination of the arms of the Giech family (sheep shears) and the Künsberg family (swan). In 1551 Georg von Gich and Hans Georg von Künsberg were appointed as vassals over Thurnau. In the 17^th century the Giech family ruled the city on its own and the swans disappeared from the arms. The tower was destroyed in 1812. In the 19^th century the town adopted the old arms again, with the quartered shield.