Pistoia

PISTOIA

Region : Toscana
Province : Pistoia
Additions : 1877 Porta al Borgo, Porta Carratica, Porta Lucchese, Porta San Marco

Official blazon
Italian	Scaccato d’argento e di rosso di trentasei pezzi. Lo scudo di forma sannitica, sarà cimato della corona di città ed avrà per sostegni due orsi con le teste rivolte all’indietro, coperti di mantelletto scaccato d’argento e di rosso, svolazzante, foderato di verde.
English	blazon wanted

Origin/meaning

The chequered field is said to have been derived from the symbol of St. James, the scallop. How this was transformed into a field with 36 (or more, see below) squares is not clear. The bears were added in the second half of the 14^th century to remind the citizens of the town's supremacy over the mountainous region. The bears also symbolise the pride of the local people.

The bears have the local nickname of Il micco, or the stupid, because they have lost all attributes of bravery...

In a manuscript from around 1550 the arms are held by a monkey instead of a bear...

Image gallery

The arms in 1550
The arms in 1864
The arms in the Brioschi albums 1930s
The arms on a Fassi trade card
Image of the arms on a fresco in the town hall
The arms in the Abadie albums

Literature: : Image from http://www.araldicacivica.it

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