Altmarkkreis Salzwedel Rural District

Altmarkkreis Salzwedel is a district in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany.

History

The old Altmark region, included parts of the neighbouring district of Stendal. In the 10th century it was the eastern border of the Holy Roman Empire.

In the Late Middle Ages many towns were members of the Hanseatic League.

The modern district was established in 1994 by joining the former districts of Gardelegen, Klötze, Salzwedel and part of Osterburg.

The coat of arms displays:

The heraldic eagle of Brandenburg, which was also part of the arms of Salzwedel
The lion of Lüneburg, since the town of Klötze belonged to the duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg in medieval times
The symbol of the Altmark, that was used during the 11th and 12th centuries