Viennese coat of arms

Created on
18.02.2025
Vienna is more than opera, Prater or St. Stephen's Cathedral. The city also tells its story in symbols - powerful, colorful and meaningful. Each of the 23 districts has its own coat of arms, which tells of historical roots and local characteristics. If you want to understand Vienna a little better, you should take a look at these coats of arms - they are small works of art with great significance.
An overview of the 23 Viennese coats of arms.

Symbols of diversity: What Vienna's district coats of arms tell us
What are now known collectively as "districts" used to be independent municipalities, suburbs or localities, each with their own identity, history and symbolism. It was only in the course of the 19th and 20th centuries that these places were gradually incorporated and became part of today's Vienna. In order to preserve the origins and traditions of these formerly independent places, the newly created districts were given their own coats of arms. These coats of arms reflect the past of their parts - be it old dominions, ecclesiastical references, local legends or important personalities. The district coats of arms are therefore more than just pretty pictures - they tell us something about the origins and development of Vienna. And they show how many small places became one big city. To this day, the coats of arms are part of the identity of the individual districts.

A red and white coat of arms with a white cross on a red background, edged in black, against a divided red and white background.

District 1: Inner City

The coat of arms of the 1st district, the Inner City, shows a barred cross, which
corresponds to the Vienna city coat of arms. Its origins date back to the 13th
century, when it first appeared on the "Wiener Pfennigen" -
a silver coin that served as a means of payment in the Middle Ages. The coat of arms presumably
goes back to the imperial storm banner from the time of Henry VI (1169-
1197), which later had a similar
design under Rudolf I (1218-1291).
Coat of arms with a shield divided into three parts: on the left a saint with a church and banner, on the right a white stag with golden antlers on a green background, below a red tongue surrounded by golden stars on a blue background. Background divided red and white.

District 2: Leopoldstadt

The coat of arms of the 2nd district, Leopoldstadt, combines the historical coats of arms of the former suburbs of Leopoldstadt, Jägerzeile and Zwischenbrücken.

  • Leopoldstadt: St. Leopold, patron saint of the district church, stands on a green meadow with a church model in his right hand and the Lower Austrian banner in his left.
  • Hunter's line: A silver Hubertus stag with golden antlers and a cross symbolizes hunters and hunting.
  • Intermediate bridges: A red tongue in a golden halo with five stars represents the symbol of St. John Nepomuk, the patron saint of bridges.

Coat of arms with tripartite shield: on the left St. Nicholas with crook and golden balls, on the right above a strawberry with leaves and blossoms, below two silver goats above a bush. Background divided red and white.

District 3: Country road

The coat of arms of the 3rd district combines the symbols of the former suburbs of Landstraße, Erdberg and Weißgerber:

  • Landstraße: St. Nicholas, patron saint of the former convent of St. Niklas, stands with a golden crook and three golden balls on a book.
  • Erdberg: A red strawberry with two leaves and two flowers stands for the erroneous assumption that the name "Erdberg" comes from the fruit. In fact, the name is derived from an old fortification.
  • White tanners: Two silver goats leaping over a bush symbolize the tanners' guild - an association of craftsmen who processed animal skins into leather.
Coat of arms with tripartite shield: top left a willow tree, right St. Stephen's Cathedral with a crown and peacock feathers. Below two saints next to a draw well, above a saint with a church and banner. Background divided red and white.

District 4: Wieden

The coat of arms of the 4th district combines the symbols of the former suburbs of Wieden, Schaumburgergrund and Hungelbrunnen:

  • Wieden: A willow tree on a green hill stands for the earlier, but incorrect, assumption that the name "Wieden" comes from "Weiden".
  • Schaumburgergrund: A golden crown with peacock feathers and St. Stephen's Tower stand for Ernst Rüdiger Count Starhemberg, who played an important role in the defense of Vienna in 1683.
  • Hungelbrunnen: A red draw fountain with St. Peter and St. Florian stands for the Floriani Church in Matzleinsdorf. Above the fountain hovers St. Leopold, the patron saint of Lower Austria.
Coat of arms with six-part shield: St. Margaret with cross and dragon in the center. At the top left a saint with staff and book, at the top right a saint with banner and sword. At the bottom left a tower with a unicorn, at the bottom right a golden orb

District 5: Margareten

The coat of arms of the 5th district combines the symbols of the former suburbs of Margareten, Nikolsdorf, Matzleinsdorf, Hundsturm, Laurenzergrund and Reinprechtsdorf:

  • Margareten: Saint Margaret sits on a cloud and holds a cross, while a fire-breathing dragon lies beneath her. This is based on a legend in which she defeated the devil in dragon form with her cross.
  • Nikolsdorf: St. Nicholas stands in a meadow with a crosier and an open book of the Gospels. The name is derived from Nikolaus Oláh, the Archbishop of Gran, who founded a settlement here in the 16th century.
  • Matzleinsdorf: St. Florian, patron saint of the chimney sweep church, extinguishes a fire with a bucket of water.
  • Hundsturm: A silver tower with a unicorn jumping out of the gate. Laurenzergrund: A black grate symbolizes the suffering of Saint Laurentius, who was tortured to death on a fire grate.
  • Reinprechtsdorf: A gold ornamented orb with a cross from the seal of the Vienna Citizens' Hospital.
Coat of arms with a five-part shield: in the center a ship with a holy captain. At the top left a saint in front of an altar, at the top right Saint Theobald in bishop's regalia. Below left Mary Magdalene kneeling before the Crucified, below right three golden lilies.

District 6: Mariahilf

The coat of arms of the 6th district combines the symbols of the former suburbs Laimgrube, Windmühle, Magdalenengrund, Gumpendorf and Mariahilf:

  • Laimgrube: St. Theobald with a church and an altar is reminiscent of the Theobald Church, which once stood in this suburb.
  • Windmill: St. Theobald in bishop's regalia again refers to the Theobald Church.
  • Magdalenengrund: Mary Magdalene kneels before the crucified Christ - a reference to the Mary Magdalene Chapel.
  • Gumpendorf: Three lilies symbolize the Muschinger family, who once ruled the land.
  • Mariahilf: A ship with Don Juan d'Austria stands for his victory at Lepanto, which is attributed to Mary's help. The ship refers to the old name of the suburb ("Im Schiff") and to Mary as the patron saint of the Mariahilf church.
Coat of arms on a red and white flag: in the center a red shield with a golden cross and crescent, surrounded by a bishop, monk, lark and mountain with orb.

District 7: New building

The coat of arms of the 7th district combines the symbols of the former suburbs of Neubau, St. Ulrich, Schottenfeld, Altlerchenfeld and Spittelberg:

  • Neubau: A silver crescent under a golden cross symbolizes the victory over the Turks in 1683.
  • St. Ulrich: St. Ulrich of Augsburg with crosier and fish refers to the parish church of St. Ulrich.
  • Schottenfeld: A wandering Scots monk with a staff is a reminder of the Schottenstift. The Schottenstift was a monastery founded in Vienna in 1161 which owned many lands and contributed to the growth of Vienna.
  • Altlerchenfeld: A silver cross with four golden larks stands for the name of the suburb.
  • Spittelberg: A green rocky hill with a blue imperial orb and a golden dove refers to the Bürgerspital. The Bürgerspital was a social institution that cared for old, sick and needy people and was financed by donations, property and the sale of wine.
Coat of arms with a five-part shield: in the center a depiction of Saint Joseph with child. At the top left a cross with larks, at the top right a magpie on a bush, at the bottom left a crowned saint, at the bottom right a white bar on a red background.

District 8: Josefstadt

The coat of arms of the 8th district combines the symbols of the former suburbs of Josefstadt, Alsergrund, Altlerchenfeld, Breitenfeld and Strozzigrund:

  • Josefstadt: St. Joseph, patron saint of the suburb, stands on a meadow with the baby Jesus in his arms and a lily in his hand.
  • Alsergrund: A magpie on a bush symbolizes the origin of the name from the Viennese word "Alster" for magpie.
  • Altlerchenfeld: A cross with four golden larks in the corners refers to the name of the suburb.
  • Breitenfeld: Saint Mary with crown, orb and sceptre is a reminder of the patron saint of the church of the Schottenkloster monastery, which once stood in Breitenfeld.
  • Strozzigrund: A crossbar on a red background commemorates the coat of arms of Countess Strozzi. Maria Katharina Countess Strozzi was a noblewoman who acquired the area of Strozzigrund in 1702. After the Turkish siege, she promoted building activity in the area.
Seven-part shield: A magpie on a bush in the center. Top left angel's wings, top center lamb with cross, top right St. John the Baptist, two houses on a hill, bottom center a stag with cross, bottom right three green willows.

District 9: Alsergrund

The coat of arms of the 9th district combines the symbols of the former suburbs of Michelbeuern, Himmelpfortgrund, Thurygrund, Lichtental, Althangrund, Roßau and Alservorstadt:

  • Michelbeuern: Two silver wings stand for the Archangel Michael, the patron saint of the Michelbeuern monastery, which had lordship over the area until 1796 and thus exercised economic and legal control.

  • Himmelpfortgrund: A silver lamb with a cross flag refers to the Himmelpfort monastery, which ruled the area for a long time.

  • Thurygrund: St. John the Baptist with a church and cross banner is a reminder of the former hospital "Sundersiechenhaus".

  • Lichtental: Two houses on hills with a golden sun symbolize the dominion of the Liechtenstein family, who held significant estates in Lower Austria and Moravia for centuries.

  • Althangrund: A silver stag with a cross stands for Count Althan, the Landjägermeister who ruled over the area.

  • Roßau: Four green willows on a meadow represent the former floodplain landscapes along the Danube.

  • Alservorstadt: A magpie on a bush alludes to the Viennese word "Alster".

A six-part shield: the spinner at the cross in the center, surrounded by five fields - St. John the Evangelist with eagle at the top left, fountain with fountains at the top right, ring oven at the bottom left, Maltese cross at the bottom center, bunch of grapes with ears of corn at the bottom right.

District 10: Favorites

The coat of arms of the 10th district combines the symbols of the Favoriten district and the incorporated towns of Oberlaa, Rothneusiedl, Unterlaa and Inzersdorf:

  • Favoriten (new coat of arms): The spinner on the cross, a Gothic landmark on the Wienerberg, which is associated with several legends, stands on a red and silver background, the colors of Vienna.
  • Favoriten (old part of the district): St. John the Evangelist with cross and eagle as a reference to St. John the Evangelist Church on Keplerplatz.
  • Oberlaa: A fountain with fountains symbolizes the thermal springs and the spa center.
  • Rothneusiedl: A ring furnace and the Liesingbach stream symbolize the district's industrial history.
  • Unterlaa: A Maltese cross commemorates the Order of St. John, which built a hospital and a church here.
  • Inzersdorf: A bunch of grapes with ears of corn refers to the agricultural tradition of the area.
Three-part shield on a red and white divided background: top left an S on a blue background, top right a unicorn on a golden background and below two crossed fish in a blue circle on a red background.

District 11: Simmering

The coat of arms of Vienna's 11th district, Simmering, combines the coats of arms of the formerly independent municipalities of Simmering, Kaiserebersdorf and Albern:

  • Simmering: A silver "S" on a blue background is reminiscent of the seal of the Lords of Simoning, who gave the district its name.
  • Kaiserebersdorf: A black, leaping unicorn on a golden background comes from the coat of arms of the Lords of Meißau, who ruled over the village.
  • Albern: Two crossed silver fish on a blue circle symbolize the area's long fishing tradition.
Five-part shield: a water nymph and an ancient Roman stone in the center, a saint in front of a bridge at the top left, a black cross at the top right, a golden mill wheel at the bottom left, a star and crescent moon below, a flying raven at the bottom right.

District 12: Meidling

The coat of arms of the 12th district is made up of the symbols of the formerly independent suburbs of Gaudenzdorf, Hetzendorf, Obermeidling, Altmannsdorf and Untermeidling:

  • Gaudenzdorf: A silver arched bridge with the figure of St. John Nepomuk, the patron saint of the Meidling church and symbol of flood protection.
  • Hetzendorf: A black cross on a silver background as a reference to the Teutonic Knights, who were landlords here in the 15th century.
  • Obermeidling: A golden mill wheel on a red background stands for the former mill operations. Below it is a green hill with a star and crescent, reminiscent of the former vineyards.
  • Altmannsdorf: A flying raven with a golden ring in its beak symbolizes the legend of Saint Oswald, the patron saint of the local church. Saint Oswald, King of Northumbria, is said to have sent a Latin-speaking raven with a golden ring to win the approval of a stern bride's father.
  • Untermeidling: A water nymph with jugs represents the thermal springs of the Theresienbad, while an ancient Roman stone refers to archaeological finds in the area.

A five-part shield: in the center, a Madonna with the Christ Child in a treetop, surrounded by angels and praying people. Three axes at the top left, a saint in a cauldron at the top right, a pelican at the bottom left and a stag at the bottom right.

District 13: Hietzing

The coat of arms of the 13th district combines the symbols of the former suburbs of Hacking, Sankt Veit, Speising, Lainz and Hietzing:

  • Hacking: Three hoes on a red-silver-red background, representing the place name.

  • SanktVeit: St. Vitus stands in a cauldron over a fireplace and holds a palm branch. According to legend, he was executed in boiling oil and is the first patron saint of the Ober-St. Veit church.

  • Speising: A silver pelican on a blue background feeds its three young in a golden nest with its own blood.

  • Lainz: A Hubertus stag with a golden cross between its antlers refers to the hunting tradition and the Lainz zoo.

  • Hietzing: In the crown of a tree stands a Madonna with the Christ Child, surrounded by angels and praying people. According to legend, during the Turkish siege in 1529, four peasants who had been tied up discovered a hidden image of the Virgin Mary in a tree, which they are said to have freed with the words "Hüats enk" (dialect for "Beware"). This story could explain the origin of the name Hietzing.

A five-part shield: in the center an orb surrounded by the letters D and P. At the top left a saint with a palm tree and rust, at the top right a wall with an open gate, at the bottom left Mary with child, at the bottom right a conifer behind a fence.

District 14: Penzing

The coat of arms of Penzing combines the symbols of the former suburbs of Breitensee, Hütteldorf, Hadersdorf, Baumgarten and Penzing:

  • Breitensee: St. Laurentius with rust and martyr's palm stands for the parish church of the village.
  • Hütteldorf: A wall with an open gate and a tower is a reminder of the former town seal.
  • Hadersdorf: Mary with child on a fountain symbolizes the patron saint of the church Mariabrunn.
  • Baumgarten: A coniferous tree behind a fence symbolizes the name of the village.
  • Penzing: A blue orb with golden fittings and the letters "D" and "P" stands for "Dorf Penzing" and refers to the former lordship of the Vienna Bürgerspital.
A quartered shield with a central brown stag. At the top left a crescent with a face, at the top right a bunch of grapes with leaves. Below an angel defeating a dragon with a lance.

DISTRICT 15: RUdolfsheim-Fünfhaus

The coat of arms of Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus combines the symbols of the former suburbs of Rustendorf, Reindorf, Braunhirschen, Fünfhaus and Sechshaus:

  • Rustendorf: A crescent with a face on a blue background.
  • Reindorf: A golden bunch of grapes with leaves on a green background, as a reference to the former wine-growing.
  • Braunhirschen: A brown stag with twelve antlers against a silver background, named after the inn "Zum braunen Hirschen".
  • Fünfhaus: The archangel Michael in silver armor with helmet, defeating a fire-breathing dragon with a golden lance - a symbol of the Barnabite College of St. Michael, which held the lordship here.
  • Sechshaus: The coat of arms of Sechshaus was identical to the Fünfhaus coat of arms, which is why it is not shown separately in the coat of arms.
A two-part shield: on the left a red coat of arms with a cross on a green trefoil, above it a mitre. On the right a golden tree, above it three flying larks.

DISTRICT 16: Ottakring

The coat of arms of Ottakring combines the symbols of the former suburbs of Ottakring and Neulerchenfeld:

  • Ottakring: a red shield with a cross on a green trefoil, surmounted by a mitre (traditional headgear of bishops). This refers to Klosterneuburg Abbey, which owned large parts of the area until 1848.
  • Neulerchenfeld: A golden tree and three flying larks on a black background, symbolizing the place name.
A three-part shield: a bunch of grapes on a red background at the top. Below left two crossed keys. At the bottom right a house on green ground, surrounded by two trees, with a blue stream.

District 17: Hernals

The coat of arms of Hernals combines the symbols of the former suburbs of Hernals, Dornbach and Neuwaldegg:

  • Hernals: A blue bunch of grapes on a red background stands for the once important viticulture in the region.
  • Dornbach: Two crossed brown church keys on a golden background symbolize the apostle Peter and refer to the dominion of the Archabbey of St. Peter in Salzburg.
  • Neuwaldegg: A house with a golden roof stands on green ground with a blue stream, surrounded by two trees. It is reminiscent of the manor house from 1537, which was later expanded into Neuwaldegg Castle.
A four-part shield: in the center a saint with a palm branch and a grating. At the top left a saint with a deer in a meadow. Above right, a saint with a cross and palm branch. Below, winegrowers carrying a bunch of grapes on a pole.

District 18: Währing

The coat of arms of Währing combines the symbols of the former suburbs of Pötzleinsdorf, Gersthof, Weinhaus and Währing:

  • Pötzleinsdorf: St. Ägidius with a deer in a meadow stands for the parish church of the village.
  • Gersthof: St. John Nepomuk with a cross and palm branch symbolizes the former chapel, which later became the parish church.
  • Wine house: Two winegrowers carry a large golden bunch of grapes on a pole, symbolizing the winegrowing of the region. The motif is reminiscent of the biblical story of Joshua and Caleb, who brought a huge bunch of grapes from Canaan.
  • Währing: St. Laurentius stands on a green meadow against a blue and silver background. He is wearing a dalmatic, a ceremonial robe with wide sleeves worn by deacons. In his hands he holds a palm branch and a grating, the symbol of his suffering and death. Laurentius is the patron saint of the Währing church.
A nine-part shield with angels, saints, symbols of viticulture and nature as well as other religious depictions.

District 19: Döbling

The coat of arms of Döbling combines the symbols of the former suburbs of Heiligenstadt, Unterdöbling, Nußdorf, Salmannsdorf, Neustift am Walde, Sievering, Kahlenbergdorf, Grinzing and Oberdöbling:

  • Heiligenstadt: St. Michael the Archangel as the guardian of souls with sword and scales, patron saint of St. Michael's Church.
  • Unterdöbling: St. Jacob with cross staff and book, patron saint of the local parish church.
  • Nußdorf: A golden tree stump with twigs, nuts and leaves as an allusion to the origin of the village's name.
  • Salmannsdorf: St. Sebastian, tied to a tree and pierced by arrows, as the patron saint of the chapel in Salmannsdorf.
  • Neustift: am Walde: St. Roch with pilgrim's staff and dog, patron saint of the parish church.
  • Sievering: St. Severin with mitre and crozier, patron saint of Sievering church.
  • Kahlenbergdorf: St. George in golden armor on a horse slaying a dragon, patron saint of the Kahlenbergdorf church.
  • Grinzing: A man with a large blue bunch of grapes, symbol of viticulture in the village.
  • Oberdöbling: A golden bunch of grapes with leaves, representing local viticulture.
A two-part shield on a red and white background: at the top an anchor on a blue background, at the bottom a red tongue surrounded by a golden halo with five stars.

District 20: Brigittenau

The Brigittenau coat of arms combines the symbols of the former towns of Brigittenau and Zwischenbrücken:

  • Brigittenau: A silver anchor on a blue background stands for the importance of shipping on the Danube and the Danube Canal.
  • Zwischenbrücken: A red tongue surrounded by a golden halo with five stars symbolizes Saint John Nepomuk, the patron saint of bridges.
A five-part coat of arms: Central a vase of flowers, top left a hand with ears of corn, top right four trees, bottom left a woman with child, bottom center two crossed sacks, bottom right a tower with red flags

BEDistrict 21: Floridsdorrf

The coat of arms of Floridsdorf combines the symbols of the former villages of Leopoldau, Stammersdorf, Jedlesee, Großjedlersdorf, Strebersdorf and Floridsdorf:

  • Leopoldau: An arm with ears of corn on a blue background stands for the agricultural tradition of the village.
  • Stammersdorf: Four trees on a green meadow against a silver background. They were chosen as a symbol for the town's name, although this actually comes from the Slavic name "Stojmir".
  • Jedlesee: The Virgin Mary at Loretto with baby Jesus, surrounded by the letters "M" and "L". The coat of arms shows the patron saint of the Jedlesee church and is based on the pilgrimage statue.
  • Großjedlersdorf: Two crossed sacks on a red background symbolize the agricultural use of the area.
  • Strebersdorf: A silver tower with red flags on a meadow, the meaning of which is not fully understood.
  • Floridsdorf: A green flower vase with red blossoms refers to the name of the district, derived from the Latin word floridus ("blooming"), in reference to Provost (head of an ecclesiastical community) Floridus Leeb.
An eight-part coat of arms shield on a red and white background with a central knight, surrounded by a house, tree, fountain, booty book, eagle's wing, ship's mill and stag.

BEdistrict 22: Donaustadt

The coat of arms of Donaustadt combines the symbols of the former towns of Stadlau, Aspern, Süßenbrunn, Breitenlee, Kagran, Eßling, Kaisermühlen and Hirschstetten:

  • Stadlau: A wooden barn on a meadow with trees, as an allusion to the place name, which goes back to "Stadel in der Au".
  • Aspern: A green tree in a meadow. The name Aspern is derived from the aspen tree and was first mentioned around 1250.
  • Süßenbrunn: A golden draw well as a reference to a formerly important well in the area.
  • Breitenlee: A red bag book and a golden crook, taken from the coat of arms of the Schottenstift, which ruled the land here.
  • Kagran: St. George in golden armor on a horse, defeating a dragon with a lance, as the patron saint of the local parish church.
  • Eßling: A golden eagle's wing, decorated with a black sash and silver diamonds. The coat of arms comes from the lords of Eslarn, who once held the manor here. The name Eßling has been documented since 1590, its origin is unclear.
  • Kaisermühlen: A golden ship mill as a symbol for the historic ship mills on the Danube.
  • Hirschstetten: A golden, leaping stag on a meadow against a red background. The stag was mistakenly chosen as the eponym, as the origin of the town's name is unclear.
An eight-part coat of arms shield on a red and white background with central hazelnut leaves and the year 1683, surrounded by symbols such as masons, ears of corn, castle gate, shepherd, saints, alder leaves and a castle.

BEdistrict 23: Liesing

The coat of arms of Liesing combines the symbols of the former municipalities of Atzgersdorf, Erlaa, Inzersdorf, Kalksburg, Liesing, Mauer, Rodaun and Siebenhirten:

  • Mauer: A red brick wall with a bricklayer, alluding to the name of the village.
  • Inzersdorf: Three golden ears of corn growing from a red heart, held by a lion and a horse, with crossed scythes below.
  • Kalksburg: A castle gate with a golden portcullis commemorates the destroyed Kalksburg Castle.
  • Siebenhirten: The number seven with a shepherd and a sheep symbolizes the place name.
  • Atzgersdorf: St. Catherine with a palm branch and sword as the patron saint of the parish church.
  • Erlaa: Three alder leaves on a tree trunk, as a reference to the origin of the place name.
  • Rodaun: A silver castle with red roofs on a wooded hill represents Rodaun Castle.
  • Liesing: Hazelnut leaves and the year "1683" commemorate the destruction caused by the Turkish siege. A basket and a mill wheel represent agriculture, industry and viticulture.

Sources

The information for this article was mainly taken from the source History Wiki Vienna which provides detailed information on the Viennese district coats of arms. In addition, information was taken from the Austria-Forum was used.

Further links