English: the German city of Warendorf

English: „Or, a gate tower gules with double embattled crest, open gate, with an above hanging portculli Argent and on both sides rising embattled walls gules.“ The arms of Warendorf were first granted in 1909, 1952 again and based on the old seal of the city. Warendorf became a city in the early 13th century. The oldest seal (known from 1255) already shows the gate. On the gate was placed a grill, which could either be a part of the gate, but could also be the symbol of St. Laurentius. It was also explained as a misinterpretation of the concrete between the stones of the wall. Whatever its origin, the portculli was often used as a symbol of the city in the 16th century and onwards.