MARCH 3, 2025 — The Marbella City Council in Spain will initiate proceedings to establish an official municipal flag following a proposal from the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) that was approved today, according to La Noción and Latin Press.
The motion, presented by PSOE spokesperson Isabel Pérez, seeks to replace the unofficial flag currently in use with a design that adheres to heraldic standards.
Marbella currently lacks an officially recognized flag, despite the widespread use of an unofficial design featuring various shades of blue.
According to Pérez, this flag emerged in the 1990s as a political decision and does not conform to established heraldic principles.
“In the interest of historical accuracy, we propose that the flag follow a heraldic approach, a method used by many cities, regions, and countries, including London,” she stated.
To develop a suitable design, the proposal calls for a panel of experts, including representatives from the local heritage association Cilniana and the city’s official chronicler, Francisco Moyano. This committee would be responsible for reviewing historical and heraldic criteria to create a final proposal.
The PSOE has put forward a potential design originally created by heraldist Joaquín Sánchez Vázquez in 2006, as featured in his publication La Heráldica de Marbella.
The city’s current coat of arms is also based on Sánchez Vázquez’s interpretation of the decree that granted Marbella its emblem.
The motion further requests that the City Council formally recognize the late heraldist, who passed away in 2007, for his contributions to the city’s intangible heritage.
PSOE argues that Marbella, given its historical significance and its designation as a city by royal decree from King Ferdinand the Catholic, should have an official flag like many other municipalities.
The next step will be the formation of the expert panel to evaluate potential designs before submitting a final proposal to the City Council.
