HORTA DE SANT JOAN
Province : Tarragona
Origin/meaning:
The fig tree is a traditional element on the arms of Horta de Sant Joan, a little town whose main economic resources are agriculture and tourism; actually, the tree may be an allusion to the name Horta, meaning in Catalan a large orchard. The local castle, originally Islamic, was given to the Templar knights in 1177 and became the centre of a Templar command, later Hospitaller (since 1317); the cross Gules on Argent symbolizes these historical facts. These arms were officially granted on 31st May 1996.
Literature : Image taken from http://www.gencat.es/sial/; background by Enric Fontvila