Flag of Genoa
The flag of Genoa ( Italian Bandiera di Genova ) shows a red cross on a white background and is also known as the Saint George Cross .
history
In the Middle Ages, the red cross on a white background was also the symbol of the crusaders who set out to liberate the holy land . It is sometimes assumed that the First Crusade was the origin of the flag of Genoa. Another source points to the time when the Byzantine army maintained a garrison in Genoa . The garrison flag (a red cross on a white background) was given to the chapel of St. George of Genoa.
The first pictorial evidence for the use of the cross flag of Genoa ( insignia cruxata comunis Janue ) on land dates from September 28, 1218. At that time, the cross flag waved over the city of Ventimiglia , which had surrendered to the Genoese. From 1238, the cross flag was also proven to be used at sea. Initially as a war flag , from 1242 generally as the city's sea flag . The flag remained in use until the loss of independence in 1805 and then continued to serve as a municipal symbol .
The flag of Genoa as a model
From 1190, English ships used the flag of Genoa in the Mediterranean , which placed them under the protection of the Genoese fleet. The English king paid an annual tribute to Genoa for this. The flag later became the flag of England and is its symbol to this day. It can also be found in the flag of London , the flag of the Royal Navy and as a central component in the Union Jack .
England
City of London
Royal Navy
Union Jack
In 1248 Milan, allied with Genoa, also adopted the red cross on a white background as its flag and coat of arms.
Other flags of Genoa
From 1198, the use of a red flag showing St. George on a horse ( vexillum beati Georgii ) is documented. In 1282 it was still the standard of the Admiral of Genoa. Today's Gonfalone Genoas also shows St. George on horseback killing the dragon.
See also
Web links
- Flags of the World - Genoa (english)
Individual evidence
- ↑ Genova chiede gli arretrati alla Regina Elisabetta per l'uso della bandiera. La croce di San Giorgio fu 'affittata' nel medioevo da Londra. July 4, 2018, accessed on July 4, 2018 (Italian, Genoa's Mayor Marco Bucci about outstanding tribute payments.): “Your Majesty, I regret to inform you that from my books it looks like you didn't pay for the last 247 years . "