Großsölk

Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of Austria - Österreichische Gemeindewappen

GROSS-SÖLK

State : Steiermark
District : Liezen

Origin/meaning

The arms were granted on October 7, 1996.

The municipality took its name after a mountain valley, the Großsölk. The Benedictine monastery of Admont and the Bishop of Chiemsee had possessions here, hence the crozier. Stock-farming is very important here, nowadays; hence the bull's head. Since Roman times, a road has crossed the mountains at the Sölkpaß. In times past, besides farming, the farmers provided pack-animals and so supplemented their income. This is symbolized by the horse.

The patron-saint of Großsölk is St. Leonhard. According to popular conviction, he protected the farmers' livestock. The chains are the best-known attributes of the saint and were believed to be for use in the stables. According to his legend, however, the saint used to ask his king for the liberation of prisoners.

Literature : Image provided by Karl Palfrader (k.palfrader@aon.at), MStLA 47 (1997), p. 53