Last modified: 2021-11-20 by 
klaus-michael schneider
Keywords: rhoen-grabfeld | koenigshofen(county) | bad neustadt(county) | chief | coronet | fess(wavy) | crosses(3) | triplemount | tower(black) | franconian rake | crown(imperial) |
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![[Rhön-Grabfeld County banner (Germany)]](../images/d/de-rg_.gif)
5:2
image by Stefan Schwoon, 14 Aug 2001
The seat of the county is Bad Neustadt an der Saale. Bad Neustadt county merged with Mellrichstadt and Königshofen counties into the new county Rhön-Grabfeld in the 1972 municipal reform.
Stefan Schwoon, 8 Oct 2001
It is a red-white-green vertical tricolour with arms shifted to top.
Source: Linder and Schmidt 2000
Stefan Schwoon, 14 Aug 2001
Meaning:
Actually, the three crosses on a triplemount are symbolising the Calvary (Kreuzberg), a landmark and pilgrimage centre in the Rhön mountains. The Grabfeld area is represented by the crown. Unfortunately, I was unable to find out the origin of the name Grabfeld. Personally, I agree the association of the cross with graves is obvious — I would not be surprised if that aspect played a part at least unofficially when the arms were designed, but that is pure speculation. Quite a gloomy arms, Grabfeld meaning graveyard...
The arms show in the upper part a royal coronet, which symbolises the former royal estate in Königshofen in Grabfeld as well as the Imperial estate near Neustadt an der Saale. The wavy fess symbolises the many rivers in the district, especially the Saale. The fess also symbolises the two parts of the county, the Rhön and the Grabfeld areas. The crosses in the lower half represent the Kreuzberg, one of the major landmarks in the Rhön area. Red and white are the colours of (Unter-)Franken, whereas the green colour symbolises the many forests in the county.
Sources: Linder and Olzog 1996 and presumptions about origin of the name (In German)
Stefan Schwoon and Santiago Dotor, 9 Oct 2001; Santiago Dotor, 27 Jan 2004
Banner and arms were approved on 17 August 1976
Stefan Schwoon, 14 Aug 2001
![[Königshofen County banner 1972 (Germany)]](../images/d/de-rg-c2_.gif)
5:2
image by Stefan Schwoon, 16 Aug 2001
It was a yellow-black vertical bicolour with arms shifted to top.
Source: Linder and Schmidt 2000
Stefan Schwoon, 16 Aug 2001
Shield parted per pale, at dexter a Franconian rake, at sinister Or a tower sable, base Sable charged with a royal coronet Or.
Meaning:
The crown symbolises the old Royal Estate in Grabfeldgau, the colours are taken from the arms of the Lords of Henneberg, who played a major role in the early existence of the city. The county became later a possession of the Bishops of Würzburg, and the arms of the bishopric are placed in the first quarter. The tower alludes to the fact that the city of Königshofen was a major stronghold of the bishops.
Source: Stadler 1966, p.100
Santiago Dotor, 17 July 2003
The banner was approved on 29 June 1966. The arms were approved on 29 April 1966.
Santiago Dotor, 17 July 2003
![[Bad Neustadt County banner 1972 (Germany)]](../images/d/de-rg-c1_.gif)
5:2 image by Stefan Schwoon, 14 Aug 2001
It was a yellow-red-white vertical bicolour with arms shifted to top.
Source: Linder and Schmidt 2000
Stefan Schwoon, 14 Aug 2001
Shield Gules a calvary issuant Argent, in chief an imperial crown Or.
Meaning:
The upper part shows an Imperial crown, which indicates that already in the 11th century the Holy Roman Empire had large possessions in the county, such as the Salz estate, the Salzgau, and the royal church in Brend. In later times the largest part of the district belonged to the Bishops of Würzburg. Red and white are the colours of the bishopric. The crosses in the lower part are alluding to the Kreuzberg ("Calvary"), i.e. three crosses on top of the peaks of a triplemount, with a large monastery, which used to be an important place of pilgimage.
Source: Stadler 1966, p.99
Santiago Dotor, 15 July 2003
Banner and arms were approved on 13 June 1966.
Santiago Dotor, 15 July 2003
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