Flag of Sardinia

What the flag looks like

A white field with a red cross, and in each quarter a black Moor's head in profile wearing a white headband tied at the back.

What it means

The Four Moors come from the arms of the Crown of Aragon, which ruled Sardinia from the 14th century; their origin is often linked to the Battle of Alcoraz in 1096.

How to remember it

Sardinia is England's red cross with a Moor's head in every corner; Corsica keeps just one head and drops the cross.

Fun facts

• For centuries the Moors were often shown blindfolded; the 1999 regional law fixed the bands on their foreheads.
• The Four Moors also appear in the coat of arms of Aragon in Spain.

Sardinia at a glance

Status

Autonomous region of Italy

Sovereign state

Italy

Capital

Cagliari

Region

Autonomous region of Italy

Population

1.6 million

Area

24,100 km²

Languages

Italian, Sardinian

Currency

Euro (€)

Flag adopted

1999

Flags often confused with Sardinia

• Corsica: Corsica and Sardinia both show a black Moor's head with a white headband on white. Corsica has a single large head and no cross; Sardinia has four smaller heads separated by a red cross.
• England: England and Sardinia both have a red cross on white. England's flag is plain; Sardinia adds a black Moor's head in each quarter.
• Georgia: Georgia and Sardinia both have a large red cross on white with something in each quarter. Georgia has four small red crosses; Sardinia has four black Moor's heads.