Last modified: 2024-09-21 by 
klaus-michael schneider
Keywords: abrantes | star(8-point) | ravens(4) | fleur-de-lis(yellow;4) |
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![[Abrantes municipal flag]](../images/p/pt-abt.gif)
2:3, image by Valentin Poposki and Klaus-Michael Schneider, 6 Feb 2022
The flag is gyronny of eight of blue and yellow with the municipal arms on the centre.
Source: Sérgio Horta´s webpage
Jorge Candeias, 25 Aug 1997
![[Abrantes wrong municipal flag #1]](../images/p/pt-abt_r.gif) 2:3, image by Valentin Poposki and Klaus-Michael Schneider, 6 Feb 2022 |
![[Abrantes wrong municipal flag #2]](../images/p/pt-abt999.gif) 2:3, image by Jorge Candeias, 8 July 1999, modified by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 12 Sep 2024 |
The flags are gyronny of eight of yellow and blue and yellow with the municipal arms on the centre. One version has the same pattern of the coat of arms like the current flag (see left image above), the other version, reported 1999, has a slightly smaller shield with the ravens garnished Or and an unusual type of scroll (see right image above).
Source: Sérgio Horta´s webpage
Jorge Candeias, 25 Aug 1997
![[Abrantes municipality plain]](../images/p/pt-abt0.gif)
2:3, image by António Martins-Tuválkin, 1 Apr 2010
The flag is gyronny of eight of blue and yellow.
Jorge Candeias, 8 July 1999
![[Abrantes proposed municipal flag 1935]](../images/p/pt-abt!935.gif) 2:3, image by Valentin Poposki and Klaus-Michael Schneider, 6 Feb 2022 |
![[Abrantes proposed municipal flag 1970]](../images/p/pt-abt!970.gif) 2:3, image by Valentin Poposki and Klaus-Michael Schneider, 6 Feb 2022 |
The flag was gyronny of eight of white and black with the proposed municipal arms (version 1935) on the centre (see left image above).
Source: Sérgio Horta´s webpage
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 12 Sep 2024
The flag was gyronny of eight of blue and yellow with the proposed municipal arms (version 1970) on the centre (see right image above).
Source: Sérgio Horta´s webpage
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 12 Sep 2024
![[Abrantes CoA]](../images/p/pt-abt).gif) image located by Valentin Poposki, 6 Feb 2022 |
![[Abrantes CoA 1889]](../images/p/pt-abt889).jpg) image located by Valentin Poposki, 6 Feb 2022 |
![[Abrantes proposed CoA 1935]](../images/p/pt-abt!935).gif) image located by Valentin Poposki, 6 Feb 2022 |
![[Abrantes proposed CoA 1970]](../images/p/pt-abt!970).gif) image located by Valentin Poposki, 6 Feb 2022 |
Shield Azure, on fess point an 8-point star Argent, accompanied by four fleur-de-lis Or in cross and two pairs of ravens respectant proper (i.e. Sable). Mural crown Argent with five visible towers (city rank) and short white scroll, in Bénard Guedes style, reading in black upper case serifed letters "ABRANTES" (see image above left).
Meaning:
The 8-point star is an attribute of Virgin Mary. The fleurs-de-lis are said to allude from the Napoleonic invasions - at some time, Abrantes was the headquarter of French troops. Others say, they are taken from the arms of the Counts of Abrantes, which is however unproven. The ravens are an attribute of St. Vincent. The current arms are based on the old arms from 1889 (see below). Only the pelican on the crest was replaced by the mural crown, indicating the rank of Abrantes.
Source: Hiperglobal webpage
Jorge Candeias, 25 Aug 1997 and Klaus-Michael Schneider, 12 Sep 2024
Opinion published on 2nd May 1966 by the Heraldry and Genealogy Commission of the A.A.P. concerning the Coat of Arms, Seal and Flag of the Municipality of Abrantes
Studying this matter, the commission noted:
"1) The coat of arms, currently used by Abrantes, is bsed on a stamp , an heraldic element, which should not be part of the arms of the domain, and which shall not exist in none of the many 100s of municipal coats of arms, whose use has already been legally approved in our country. On the other hand and in this precise case, its right to exist in the arms of Abrantes will certainly come from any distortion or remembrance on the Counts, and later, Margraves of Abrantes, who ruled the Lordship and Alcaidaria-mor (its moorish equivalent) of Abrantes until 1833, of whose arms the crest has been (since the middle of the 18th century), precisely a golden pelican. Thus, if the maintenance of this as a stamp of the Arms of the City of Abrantes is unsustainable; the same, but not, if it appears on the shield; In fact, and in this way, it will serve to remember a Family that for about 500 years ago was closely linked to the city of Abrantes, and to that it owes some of its most remarkable historical monuments.
2)- The shield of the coat of arms, currently used by Abrantes, is overloaded with different charges and tincturess, which produce a bad aesthetic effect and it is not of good heraldic rigor; there are actually four ravens, four fleurs-de-lis, and an eight-pointed star; on the other hand the field is blue, the star is silver, the fleurs-de-lis are golden and the crows are black.
3)- Finally, in the ordination of the arms of Abrantes do not appear, as is necessary, distinguished charges all are similar according to their dimensions.
Studying the problem, the Commission infered the following conclusions:
1) - Among existing elements in the arms of Abrantes, the ravens are the least significant, because it was intended with them to represent the adoration of St. Vincent, to whom is dedicated the oldest and most important church in the city. Now that Saint is connected to the heraldry of Lisbon and by two ravens, not four, which alone, could only represent an extraordinary abundance of this type of birds in the Municipality of Abrantes.
2) - The fleurs-de-lis they were, according to legend, linked to the arms of the first Alcaide-mor de Abrantes, Dom Pedro Afonso. The fact is that there is nothing to indicate that they were part of his coat arms, not even an exact filiation (of Count Dom Henrique or Dom Afonso I) is known. In However, it may represent the agricultural riches of the municipality, it is to advise its maintenance, but in a lesser number.
3) - As to what the legend says about the silver star, becoming symbol of the conquest of the Castle of the Moors (?) by the Holy Virgin, patron saint of Santa Maria do Castelo. It is also not to be accepted. However, if a municipality intends to a concession of arms, it should be preserved, as far as possible, what there is as traditional as they are, and when this tradition is not unaesthetic or anti-heraldic, its maintenance is considered to be of accept."
This is what this Commission proposes that the coat of arms of the Municipality of Abrantes are:
Shield Azure, a pelican Or wounded red, feeding three chicks Or, on a nest Sable highlighted Argent. On either chief corner, fleur-de-lis Or, and on fess point a silver 8-point star. Silver mural crown with five towers. Silver Listel, with the words "ABRANTES" in black.
Seal: circular, with the parts of the arms in the centre without indication of tinctures. Around, within concentric circles, the words Câmara Municipal de Abrantes.
The Chairman of the Commission of Heraldry and Genealogy.
The Margrave of São Payo with my respectful regards.
THE SECRETARY GENERAL
José Timóteo Montalvão Machado
Lisboa, 12 May 1970"
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 12 Sep 2024
The 1889 arms (see image above right) are the base of the current arms and basically the same. The charges differ only in dimension. The shape is that one of a French shield with a Baroque frame work and crested by a pelican, taken from the arms of the Margraves of Abrantes.
Source: Historical Archives of Abrantes
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 12 Sep 2024
The 1935 arms (see image below left) were: Shield Azure a Maltese cross Argent, accompanied by four fleurs-de-lis of the same metal in cross and four ravens proper garnished Or, ordered respectant 2:2. Mural crown Argent with five visible towers (city rank) and white scrollreading in black upper case serifed letters "CIDADE DE ABRANTES" (see image above left).
br>Source- Acta no.9 - book of acts of the meetings of the Heraldry Committee of the Association of Portuguese Archaeologists - 1933-1937 - Archive of the Association of Portuguese Archaeologists
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 12 Sep 2024
The 1970 arms (see image below left) (see image below right) were: Shield Azure, a pelican Or wounded from feeding three chicks of the same, in a nest Sable enhanced Argent. On either chief corner a fleur-de-lis of Or, on base an 8-point starlet Argent. Mural crown Argent with five visible towers (city rank) and white scrol, reading in black upper case serifed letters "ABRANTES" (see image above right).
Sources: Acta no.2 - Triennium 1969/1972 - book of acts of the meetings of the Heraldry and Genealogy Commission of the Association of Portuguese Archaeologists - 1944-1972 Archive of the Association of Portuguese Archaeologists
Association Archive of the Portuguese Archaeologists. Correspondence expedited 1943-1956
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 12 Sep 2024
![[Abrantes municipal seal 1889 - 1985]](../images/p/pt-abt))889.jpg)
image located by Valentin Poposki, 6 Feb 2022
The rectangular seal (or stamp) had a ratio of nearly 1:1 and displayed the arms on a French shield, crested by a golden bird and under base two laurel branches of the same. At the bottom was a black inscription "CÂMARA MUNICIPAL ABRANTES".
Source: image provided by Valentin Poposki on 6 Feb 2022
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 12 Sep 2024
This is alphabetically the first municipality in Portugal. Abrantes is a city, which belongs to the district of Santarém and ancient province of Ribatejo. It is located on the right bank of the Tejo River, very close to the geographic centre of Portugal. Main economic resources (as far as I know) are agriculture and transforming industry.
The municipality of Abrantes is one of 21 municipalities in the District of Santarem. The former 19 parishes now are recombined into 13 communes and united communes.
Jorge Candeias, 25 Aug 1997 and Valentin Poposki, 6 Feb 2022
Abrantes has municipal rights since 1179. The earliest known coat of arms was adopted in 1889 and was the only municipal coat of arms in Portugal with a crest. That was the main reason, why there were at least two attempts to change the coat of arms, but it was not changed until 1985, due to the opposition of the municipal assembly. The current coat of arms, flag and standard were adopted by the municipal council on 28 June 1985. The first attempt to change the coat of arms and to adopt new symbols was made on 20 March 1935, when the Heraldic Commission of the Portuguese Archeologists (CHAAP) proposed a new coat of arms, flag and banner, but the municipal council refused to adopt them. In 1966 the Commission of Heraldry and Genealogy made a new research and proposed that new symbols should be adopted. On base on that research the same commission on 2 May 1970 proposed new symbols, but those were not adopted by municipal assembly too. Finally, on 28 June 1985 th council accepted to remove the crest and adopted the current symbols.
The current symbols were adopted by the municipal council, on 28 June 1985 and published in Diário da República: III Série on 12 February 1986,
Valentin Poposki, 6 Feb 2022 and Klaus-Michael Schneider, 12 Sep 2024
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