The history of many Russian cities began with the construction of defensive structures to protect local residents and the development of new territories. This beautiful city on the Volga was born thanks to the Stavropol fortress. Therefore, those wishing to see the coat of arms of Togliatti in a historical context should start with a search for the heraldic symbol of Stavropol.
An excursion into history
The fortress was founded in these places in 1737, as the researchers assure, until 1751, in general, it did not have any official symbols. This year, the settlement finally got its own official seal.
The first coat of arms of the Stavropol fortress was approved by Catherine II, who had a hand in the creation of many heraldic symbols of the cities of the Russian Empire. The coat of arms was drawn up by the actual state councilor Volkov, who held the post of master of heralds.
In the surviving description, the main colors of the shield (gold and azure) and the main symbolic elements are recorded:
- a triangular fortress at the bottom of the shield;
- a black cross standing in the middle of the fortress;
- a tower topped with a crown at the top of the shield.
The image of the fortress is a direct reference to the defensive structure, the first city structure. The cross has a symbolic meaning, it is known that the name "Stavropol" is translated as the City of the Cross. The symbolic tower meant that the city was part of the Simbirsk province. After the annexation of the settlement to the Samara province, the tower was replaced with an image of a goat, the heraldic symbol of the center of the province.
Soviet symbols
Heraldry was absent in the Soviet Union, many coats of arms of cities were abolished or played a symbolic role, were used in souvenirs.
In 1979, preparations began for the celebration of the city's significant jubilee - the 250th anniversary. In this regard, the staff of the local museum initiated the creation of a new symbol of Togliatti (the city received a new name in 1964). In 1982, the townspeople saw a new symbol.
Modern coat of arms
It is interesting that the modern heraldic symbol of Togliatti is a variant of 1982, and not one of the first images. The color palette (a combination of yellow and blue) is taken from the historical coat of arms, but the composition is completely different.
The central emblem is an unfolded square divided into four parts. In the lower small square there is a symbolic cross, which reminds of the first name of the settlement. Also in the coat of arms there are elements symbolizing the base of the fortress; in the upper part of the shield you can see a stylized image of the local famous mountain range - Zhiguli.
