Xanten - Germany

Xanten is an small city German city with an population of around 21 thousand, located in the state North Rhine-Westphalia next to the river Rhine. Founded by the Romans as Colonia Ulpia Traiana and was the second important place in the Roman province of Germania Inferior. Colonia Agrippinensis was bigger and is nowadays known as Cologne (Köln), Köln is today the fourth city of Germany and Xanten stays small. But in Roman times Xanten thrives and has even an amfitheater but that is all destroyed. To get an impression the Roman days of Xanten are reconstructed at the Archäologischer Park. The archaeological park is one of the most visited attractions in Germany. Also the medieval city center is an visit worthwhile with many sights, many are renovated after World War II. The St. Victor's Cathedral can not be missed, although it's an church an not an cathedral because it was never an seat of an bishop. So let's take an look at the flag.

The flag has two black horizontal stripes and an wider white one within the center the coat of arms. The colours are derived from the coat of arms. The keys are attributes of St. Peter which is patron of Cologne (Köln). Once Cologne (Köln) was archbishopric which Xanten was once part of, little black cross is also from the Archbishopric of Cologne (Köln). The coat of arms are encircled with 11 bezants which are coins from Constantinopel or Byzantium, in heraldry it's stands for purity. I don't found an real explanation of the usage of the bezants. Solid medieval looking coat of arms and strict looking colors.