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San Cristóbal de La Laguna (Municipality, Canary Islands, Spain)

Flag of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, as seen on 3 May 2000 on the Town Hall - Image by Santiago Dotor & José Manuel Erbez, 4 May 2000

Presentation of San Cristóbal de La Laguna
Symbols of San Cristóbal de La Laguna
Historical flag of San Cristóbal de La Laguna
Universidad de La Laguna

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Presentation of San Cristóbal de La Laguna

San Cristóbal de La Laguna was the capital of Tenerife until 1821, when Santa Cruz de Tenerife was simply its harbour. The lagoon from which the town's name was derived was drained in 1837.

Santiago Dotor & Klaus-Michael Schneider, 15 April 2007

Symbols of San Cristóbal de La Laguna

The flag of San Cristóbal de La Laguna is purple with the municipal coat of arms in the centre, covering above one fourth of the flag's height.
This is the oldest flag in Tenerife, and, probably, in the Canary Islands. However, it is not regulated by Law.

The coat of arms of San Cristóbal de La Laguna (image) was granted by Royal Letters signed on 23 March 1510 by Queen Juana the Mad, as the coat of arms of the Tenerife island.
"Or an island vert surmounted by a volcano proper emitting fire over waves azure and argent surrounded dexter by a castle gules and sinister by a lion of the same and ensigned by an Archangel St. Michael proper holding a pear in the one hand and a shield in the other hand. A bordure gules inscribed with 'Michael Arcangele Veni in Adjutorium Populo Dei Thenerife Me Fecit' in letters or. The shield surmounted with a Royal crown open."
The coat of arms recalls the incorporation of Tenerife to the Crown of Castile and its evangelization under the protection of St. Michael. The motto reads "Archangel Michael, Come to Aid the People of God, Tenerife Made Me."

Santiago Dotor, Klaus-Michael Schneider & José Manuel Erbez, 4 May 2000

Historical flag of San Cristóbal de La Laguna

Historical flag of San Cristóbal de La Laguna - Photo by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 15 April 2007

The Tenerife History Muesum (Casa Lercara) of San Cristóbal de La Laguna shows a flag, probably dating back to the 16th century, very similar to the flag in actual use.
The flag is made of purple velvet, while the coat of arms is made of white brocade with golden embroidery. The coat of arms lacks the inscription on the border.

Klaus-Michael Schneider, 13 May 2007