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Stemmi di comuni e province d'Italia Italian Civic Heraldry ALTOPASCIO Origin/meaning: The Tau 'T' cross in the base of the shield has connotations to the Order of St. James of Altopascio. It was founded by Augustinian monks in the 10th century as a hospice for pilgrims travelling to Rome or Compostella through the region near Lucca. It became a military order before the 1st Crusade when the monks began to protect the pilgrims but this was not recognized by the Pope until 1239. In short, the order was the first of the militant crusading orders. The habit of the order was black or dark gray with the Tau cross in white on the left breast Literature : Anonymous : 500 Stemmi di comuni Italiani. Milano, 1940; background by Patrick D. Owen

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