Andorra's First Official Flag Returns to Casa de la Vall After Restoration
The 1866 flag, gifted by Napoleon III, restored and now displayed at Andorra's historic parliament building ahead of public reopening.
Key Points
- 1866 flag gifted by Napoleon III features central coat of arms with mitre, Foix bars, Catalan bars, and red cows.
- Found in poor condition: soiled, brittle fabric with holes, tears, and eroded paint.
- Restored by Montserrat Xirau's team using original materials for preservation.
- Now displayed in custom vitrine at Casa de la Vall, reopening December 23.
The first official flag of Andorra, a gift from Napoleon III, has returned to the Casa de la Vall following extensive restoration work.
Dating back to 1866, the flag was presented by the French emperor to the Principat. It features a large central coat of arms designed by painter Josep Oromí, depicting the golden mitre, the three red bars of the counts of Foix, the four red bars of Catalonia, and two red cows. The fabric consists of rectangular linen fragments, marking it as Andorra's inaugural official national emblem. Prior to this gift, informal banners often drew from medieval Catalan colors and those of the Foix house.
The Consell General reported the flag's condition as poor upon assessment: the textile was heavily soiled and brittle, with holes, tears, and losses in support. The central shield appeared wrinkled, its paint eroded and weakened. Restorer Montserrat Xirau and her team from Catalonia undertook a meticulous process to stabilize the fabric, reinforce fragile areas, and enhance overall preservation. The work prioritized the original materials while safeguarding the item's profound historical and symbolic value.
This restoration forms part of broader renovations to the Casa de la Vall, Andorra's historic parliamentary building. The flag now occupies a prominent spot at the entrance, encased in a custom-made display vitrine to ensure long-term protection. The department of Cultural Heritage oversaw the project alongside Xirau's leadership.
Visitors will soon view the restored artefact, with the Casa de la Vall set to reopen to the public on Tuesday, December 23.
Original Sources
This article was aggregated from the following Catalan-language sources: