The flag of Contone transmits a medieval impression of cloak and dagger. The town’s flag represents the cross of the Knights of Malta, whose order was founded in the Holy Land in 1113 to help the pilgrims and the uI people. In 1244, after the Knights of Malta were driven out of Jerusalem, they fled to Europe. Numerous of its initiates, monks distinguishing themselves for the white cross designed on their large black coat, received lands called Commende. Among these lands there was the Commenda San Giovanni in Contone, which later gave rise to the town of Contone.
In the twenties, the role of knights became more important thanks in particular to MonsignorA. Bacciarini. In 1931 the order’s shield was affixed to the parish seal and the star-spangled white cross to the fa9ade of St John’s church. At that point the step from the parish to the commune was rather short: In 1915 the Maltese cross was affixed to the town’s coat of arms.
