The history of the coat of arms of the city of Marseille

Did you know that Marseille is one of the oldest cities in Europe to have a flag? This flag predates the coat of arms. Let's delve into these two symbols of Marseille that have traversed the ages.

MARSEILLE, WITH THE CROSS AS ITS EMBLEM

Since the early Middle Ages, during the Crusades (beginning in 1096), the city of Marseille adopted the cross as its emblem. It served as a symbol of recognition indicating a safe port or friendly ships. Thus, some of the greatest ports in the Mediterranean also feature the cross as their emblem, such as Barcelona, Genoa, and Pisa.

Records of the city mention this emblem for the first time in the year 1254. Marseille's flag preceded its coat of arms, making it one of the oldest in France, and even in Europe! Upon its annexation to the County of Provence in 127, the city of Marseille was, in an exceptional move, allowed to retain its flag, but was required to display the count's flag in the most honorable position.

THE SILVER SHIELD WITH AN AZURE CROSS

The coat of arms of Marseille is also well-known, adorning numerous public buildings (see photos), street signs, and old municipal documents. Its first appearance in official documents dates back to the 14th century, in an illuminated manuscript depicting an oath-taking by a city official. The motto appeared in 1257, written in Old Provençal, "The city of Marseille shines with great deeds." Several mottos followed over the centuries. Marseille's coat of arms, containing the shield at its center, was definitively adopted in 1699 by an edict of Colbert regulating the use of coats of arms for cities.

Less than a hundred years later, the Revolution banned the use of coats of arms. It was then removed from all municipal documents. Thus, farewell to the azure cross on a silver background. At least until 1810 with the advent of Napoleon and the Empire. The coat of arms would be modified to match the imperial aesthetic.

During the Restoration, Louis XVIII restored the original coat of arms with the bull and the lion.

A new version emerged in 1826 featuring a cornucopia. Finally, it was the numismatist Joseph Laugier who would immortalize, for eternity, the oval-shaped coat of arms with the azure cross, the bull, and the lion, as well as the now famous motto, "The city of Marseille shines with great deeds."

The cross symbolizes fidelity to the Catholic faith, the mural crown represents the city in medieval heraldry, but the five towers are typically reserved for capitals. On the left, the bull (symbol of work, patience, and agriculture), armed with a trident (symbol of the sea and travel). On the right, a lion (symbol of strength, power, and vigilance), armed with a caduceus (symbol of commerce).