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Heraldica Española - Spanish Civic Heraldry
LA RIOJA

Origin/meaning:
The Rioja coat of arms bears the distinctive Cross of the Order of Santiago, a medieval knightly order associated with the shrine of St. James (Santiago) in Galicia. The small shells are also the symbol of Santiago. The fleur-de-lis in the bordure refer to the Pilgrimage Road leading from the French border to Galicia and passing through Rioja. In fact, the Pilgrimage Road is commonly known as el Camino Frances, "the French Road". The fleur-de-lis was the French royal symbol.

The fortified bridge refers to the crossing of the Ebro River at Logroño--a bridge over which many of Santiago's pilgrims pass.

Literature : de Cadenas, A. A. and de Cadenas, V. : Heraldica de las comunidades autonomas y de las capitales de provincia. Hidalguia, Madrid, 1985; background from Jorge Diaz


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