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Latvijas Pilsetu Gerboni
Latvian Civic Heraldry

ALUKSNE

Origin/meaning :
Aluksne was initially a castle of Latgali (Latvian tribe). German knights destroyed it and built their own castle Marienburg in 1342. The town was also established.
In 17th century the German pastor Ernst Glick lived in Aluksne. He knew the Latvian language very well and he made the first translation of the Bible to Latvian, finished in 1689.
By the way, Glick's ward and Aluksne inhabitant Marta fell in love with the Russian Emperor Peter I (the Great), took an orthodox baptism as Ekaterina and became the Russian Empress Catherine I.
The town developed in the beginning of 20th century, when the narrow-gauge railway was built. In 1920 city rights were granted.
The arms were granted in 1925: crossed swords mean ancient battles, and the Bible with date 1689 notices immortal pastor's work.

Literature : scan from a poster (Latvijas Pilsetu Gerboni); Purens : Latvijas gerbonu gramata (translated by Virginijus Misiunas, Vilnius)


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