Savoy

The flag of Savoy displays a bold white cross on a red field, one of the oldest and simplest heraldic designs in Europe. The white cross of Savoy dates to at least the 13th century and was the emblem of the House of Savoy, which would eventually unify Italy in the 19th century. The design is strikingly similar to the flags of Switzerland and Denmark, reflecting the shared medieval tradition of crusader crosses. Savoy was an independent duchy for centuries, straddling the Alps between France and Italy, before its western portion was ceded to France in 1860. The flag's clean geometry and high-contrast colors make it instantly recognizable.