Halltal (Steiermark)

Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of Austria - Österreichische Gemeindewappen

HALLTAL

State : Steiermark
District : Bruck an der Mur

Origin/meaning :
The arms were granted on November 4, 1996.

Wherever in Austria there is a name containing the syllable "Hall-", salt is involved. Halltal may mean Salt Valley. In the Middle Ages, salt was produced from the saline springs of the valley. Later, this was discontinued, as the greater mines of Aussee and Hallein covered the whole of Austria and Styria.

Forest-culture is very important and has been so for centuries. So, conifer trees (growing locally - deciduous trees are not so frequently met with in the mountains) and a representation of the Tal, the valley, were included in the arms.

Literature : Image provided by Karl Palfrader (k.palfrader@aon.at), MStLA 47 (1997), 54