Genova

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GENOVA

Region: Liguria
Province : Genova

Official blazon

D'argento alla croce di rosso, cimato di corona ducale, col cimiero della testa di Giano bifronte ed i sostegni di due grifoni.

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on March 21, 1897.

The cross is the red cross of St. George, patron saint of the city since the 7^th century when Byzantine troops built a church for him in the city. Ever since the city has used the red cross on its banners (during the crusades) and arms.

The griffins were added in the late Middle Ages originally facing backwards and with the tail raised. When Genova was annexed by the Kingdom of Sardinia after the Viennese Congress (1813) the king decided that the griffins should face the shield and the tails were to be lowered. Whether this is a true story remains uncertain, the griffins are now shown in the proper heraldic way.

Originally Genova used a ducal crown on the arms, but after the annexation it had to be reduced to the crown of a county, as the capital of the Kingdom, Torino, also used only a county crown. Above the crown the head of the Roman God Ianus is shown, after which the city was named.