Name Origin

The earliest documented mention of Eilenburg dates back to the year 961: "civitas ilburg".  The militaristic nature of its origins is accentuated by the German suffix "burg", meaning 'fortress'.  When German conquerors captured the Sorbian castle and reconstructed it as a burgward, they renamed it "Jilburg", based on its original heritage.

Following the dedication of the castle, the city that was emerging on the Mulde-island in the 12th century had to be given a name as well.  Since il or jil mean clay or loam in old-Slavic, Jil- or Ilburg could also be referred to as Clayburg.  Considering this interpretation the whole landscape surrounding the city immediately comes to mind as the earth in the area is rich with silt and clay.  The steep hillside in the city district "Berg" (Mountain) is still referred to the as the "clay mountain" today.

Over time, due to linguistic sound change, Ilburg became today's Eilenburg.

Heraldic Description

In Blue a golden castle with a red-roofed open gate, two crenellated, pointed side towers - between these, three 6-point silver stars.

Gate and towers are symbols for the city.  The stars originate from the family crest of the lords of Eilenburg.  They were the verifiable margrave stewards, in charge of the castle and its city, since 1172 (Lords of Ilburg). The first certifiable town seal, dating back to 1294, displays the same picture.