This page is part of © FOTW Flags Of The World website

Tavira (Santa Maria e Santiago) United Commune (Portugal)

União das Freguesias de Tavira, Concelho de Tavira, Distrito de Faro

Last modified: 2015-04-18 by klaus-michael schneider
Keywords: tavira(freguesia) | sta.maria(tavira) | santiago(tavira) | bridge | armillary sphere | orange(branch) | wheat(haulm) | castle | flag | cross(santiago) | carob(branch) | olive(branch) |
Links: FOTW homepage | search | disclaimer and copyright | write us | mirrors




See also:

Former Santa Maria commune (until 2013)

[Santa Maria (Tavira) commune (until 2013)] 2:3 image by Sérgio Horta, 12 Apr 2015

It is a typical Portuguese communal flag, with the coat of arms centred on a plain green field.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 12 Apr 2015

Coat of arms

Shield Argent with base wavy of Vert and Argent, topped by a bridge Sable masoned Argent with three archs, in chief an armillary sphere Sable flanked by a thrice fruited branch of orange Proper at dexter and a haulm of wheat Vert tied Gules per saltire at sinister. Mural crown Argent with three visible towers (village rank) and white scroll with inscription in black initials: "TAVIRA - SANTA MARIA".
Meaning:
The Roman bridge, an exlibris of the city of Tavira, is connecting both parts of the city. Orange and wheat are symbolizing the agricultural riches of the commune. The base wavy is symbolizing its location at the sea. The armillary sphere, introduced by King D. Manuel I, is a symbol of commerce and today also tourism.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 12 Apr 2015

Draft of flag and arms made by Tecnofiscal Company. Published in Diário da República: III Série on 4 November 1997
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 12 Apr 2015


Presentation of Santa Maria

Santa Maria Commune was one of the pre-2013 communes of Tavira Municipality (q.v.); it had 8836 inhabitants in 2011 and covered 135.2 km².
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 12 Apr 2015


Former Santiago commune (until 2013)

[Santiago (Tavira) commune (until 2013)] 2:3 image by Sérgio Horta, 12 Apr 2015

It is a typical Portuguese communal flag, with the coat of arms centred on a plain yellow field.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 12 Apr 2015

Coat of arms

Shield Azure, a three-towered, embattled castle Or masoned Sable with port and windows Sable, superimposed by a sword cross fleury Gules and the central tower crowned by a flag Or diapered Gules fixed by a pole Sable, alongside the bordure one branch of carob and one of olive, both Or fruited Argent, tied Gules in point. Mural crown Argent with three visible towers (village rank) and white scroll with inscription in black initials: "TAVIRA - SANTIAGO".
Meaning:
The sword cross is alluding to the Noble Knights' Order of Santiago. St. James is also the local patron saint. The castle is reminding on the city's history during the wars against the Moors, especially on D. Paio Peres Correia, the local commander of the Order of Santiago. The branches are representing agriculture as the most important economic base of the city.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 12 Apr 2015

Published in Diário da República: III Série on 19 October 1998
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 12 Apr 2015


Presentation of Santiago

Santiago Commune was one of the pre-2013 communes of Tavira Municipality (q.v.); it had 6297 inhabitants in 2011 and covered 25.7 km².
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 12 Apr 2015


back to Tavira Communes click here