Wandsbek District of Hamburg (Germany)

City of Wandsbek (until 1937) - today a district(Stadtbezirk) of Hamburg

Last modified: 2011-10-21 by german editorial team
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• Introduction
• Former City Flag

• Germany

Introduction

Wandsbek is located at Wandse creek, which gave the city its name. It was a small city in Stormarn county belonging to Denmark until 1864, later Prussian. Finally the city was incorporated into Hamburg on 1 April 1937.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 12 Aug 2011

Former City Flag

Description of flag:
The ratio is approx 7:12. It is a light blue over white over light blue triband with ratio approx 2.3:2. The coat of arms is in the white stripe and shifted to the hoist.
Description of coat of arms:
In a blue field is a bag for letters accompanied by a walking stick placed horizontally and a hat, all elements in silver (= white). In the dexter chief point is a red inescutcheon showing a silver (= white) swan armed golden (= yellow) and wearing a coronet of the same colour around its neck.
Meaning:
Bag, hat and stick are trributes of a messenger. The ensemble alludes to the "Wandsbeker Bote" ( messenger of Wandsbek), a local newspaper from the 18th century. The academic part, i.e. the last of four pages was maintained by German poet Matthias Claudius (1740-1815). The shield with swan is symbolizing the counts of Stormarn, the former rulers. Source: Filing card no. T 1221 of Hamburgmuseum
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 12 Aug 2011

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