Veneto
The flag of Veneto features the winged Lion of St. Mark holding an open book, set against a red field with gold fringe. The Lion of St. Mark — the symbol of the Evangelist and patron saint of Venice — was the emblem of the Most Serene Republic of Venice (La Serenissima), which dominated Mediterranean trade for over a thousand years. The open book bears the traditional inscription 'Pax tibi, Marce, evangelista meus' (Peace to you, Mark, my evangelist). The golden winged lion on red is one of the most famous heraldic symbols in the world.
The Lion of St. Mark appears on flags, buildings, and columns throughout the former Venetian Empire — from Crete to Cyprus to Croatia — and Venice's Republic lasted 1,100 years (697-1797), making it one of the longest-lived republics in history.
Adopted: 1975
