The Heraldy of Vila Viçosa
The heraldic constitution of the Arms of the Vila Viçosa municipality is based in three privileges – three exceptional distinctions which were conceded to this town in the course of history. These are, in a chronological order:
1st – The establishment of the Court of the House of Braganza and the Braganza State in the town, belonging to the most powerful nobles in the country, after the Royal Family.
2nd – The proclamation by the Courts of 1646, of the Virgem da Conceição’s image as Patron of Portugal, which was worshiped by the Mother Church.
3rd – The fact that the Castle was an heroic bulwark in the defence of Portugal, mostly when in 1665 it resisted more than a week to the assault of the most powerful Castilian Army.
Each of the pieces (symbols or signs) of the Coat of Arms is thus related to one of those glorious deeds.
In the central part of the Coat of Arms, we see the image of a Saint with silvery clothes and a blue cloak, an aureole with nine stars, the crescent is under her feet and over the terrestrial globe of blue enamel surrounded by a silver serpent. It symbolizes the Imaculada Conceição (Immaculate Conception), Patron of Portugal, worshiped by the Mother Church.
Another symbol of the Arms of Vila Viçosa is formed by two turreted towers of red enamel and with blue openings. The turreted tower is a tower which is surmounted by a littler one. They symbolize the Castle, and the red colour signifies its extraordinary importance in the fights for the national independence.
The two shields in the Portuguese Coat of Arms, which appear the Arms of Vila Viçosa, mean that the fights for the defence of the population were recognized as being by the defence of the Country, due to their great importance.
St. Andrew’s cross and the two shields are “in chief”. This means that these symbols are the upper third of the shield field. The downer third is called the “counter-chief”.
Flag
It is blue with golden cordons and tassels. Its flag-staff and spear are also golden.
Flag to be used outdoors (2x3m)
Flag to be used indoors (1x1m)
Significance of the colours or enamels
GOLD: it means faith and fidelity, attributes evidenced by the inhabitants of Vila Viçosa through times. Thus the Arms field is golden.
BLUE: It expresses loyalty, care and charity, qualities shown by the inhabitants of this town in the fights for the independence and freedom of the Portuguese people.
RED: It symbolizes wars and victories, and it emphasizes the heroic deeds which occurred in the Castle from the 14th till the 19th century.