Flag of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol
The flag of Trentino-Alto Adige showcases a distinctive coat of arms set against a white and blue backdrop. The coat of arms combines two iconic symbols representing the historical provinces within the region.
On the coat of arms, you can find two eagles of San Venceslao, which symbolize Trentino, alongside two Tyrolean red eagles, representing Alto Adige. These eagles serve as powerful historical emblems associated with the respective provinces. They stand prominently against the white and blue background, visually strikingly representing Trentino-Alto Adige’s unique identity.
The colours white and blue have historical significance in Trentino and Bolzano, represented in their respective ancient coats of arms. However, the flag itself has never been officially defined by law. Instead, the coat of arms and banner were approved on September 17, 1982, and subsequently authorized by a presidential decree on March 21, 1983. These official symbols provide the legal framework for representing Trentino-Alto Adige on a regional level.
| Flag Information | |
| Proportion | 2:3 |
| Adopted | 12 June 1975 |
| Official Website | https://www.regione.taa.it/ |
History of the Flag
The origin of the flag of Trentino-Alto Adige is not rooted in ancient history. Instead, it appears to have been influenced by the French tricolour in terms of its colours and the presence of a coat of arms. The adoption of the flag and coat of arms took place against the backdrop of the Austrian reoccupation of the region in 1814, following Bellegarde’s defeat of Eugenio di Beauharnais.
During this period, the bicolour flag of Trentino-Alto Adige, which had historical significance tied to the Napoleonic regime, was abandoned. The Austrian authorities, including Bellegarde, prohibited the display of tricolour cockades as a clear indication of their intention to dissolve the army of the Kingdom of Italy. Emperor Francis II and Bellegarde believed that there were no strong ties to the tricolour flag at that time.
The exact origins of the current flag have different versions. One suggests that it was created after World War I, while another proposes that it emerged coincidentally due to the coexistence of diverse ethnic groups, such as Austrians and Italians, who had not previously shared a territory.
However, the coat of arms featured on the flag does have ancient origins. The eagle of St. Wenceslas, which forms part of the coat of arms, was granted by John of Luxembourg, the sovereign, on August 9, 1339. The remaining elements of the flag consist of two horizontal bands of blue and white.
