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Haapsalu (Laanemaa, Estonia)

Haapsalu linn

(1:2)
image by Jorge Candeias, 26 July 1999

Overview
Coat of Arms
Former municipalities

Ridala

See also:

Overview

Adopted: 27 September 1994. Proportions: 1:2. Blue and white vertical (1:2) with a horizontal band, countercharged. Haapsalu is the capital of Laanemaa County.
Jorge Candeias, 26 July 1999 and Ivan Sache, 23 January 2000

Haapsalu linn - Flag adopted first time 1930s. Eagle is the symbol of evangelist Johannes, patron saint of Läänemaa and Haapsalu. It comes from the coat of arms of Diocese of Saare-Lääne. The castle was added later as a symbol of free town.
Source: <www.haapsalu.ee>.
Erki Kurrikoff, 7 April 2001

The coastside town of Haapsalu has a memorial plaque in the Dome Church accompanied by the national flag on the viewer's left side and what appears to be the town flag on the viewer's right side. But in this last case, the blue is somewhat like Very light blue (B--).
Jan Mertens, 15 August 2003

The flag of Haapsalu dates back to the 1930s. The flag consists of two sections: the first section (occupying one-third of the length) comprises three equal horizontal stripes—blue, white in the middle, and blue—while the second section (occupying two-thirds) also consists of three stripes—white at the top and bottom, with blue in the middle. Color specifications; white: White PMS C0/M0/Y0/K0 R255/G255/B255/-blue: 293 PMS, C100/M69/Y7/K30,R0/G63/B135
Tomislav Šipek, 31 August 2026

Coat of Arms

Tomislav Šipek, 31 August 2026

Coat of arms of the City of Haapsalu – on a shield vertically divided into red and gold, a golden city gate appears on the right side above the dividing line, with a golden ring-cross within the gateway; and on the left, emerging from the dividing line, a black eagle with a nimbus and wings spread and lowered. The coat of arms depicts the eagle of John the Evangelist (the patron saint of Läänemaa and Haapsalu) in an unconventional black color. The eagle also serves as a direct reference to the white-tailed eagles found in the Haapsalu area and bay, which are a key indicator species for environmental purity. The golden city gate alludes to the Haapsalu Episcopal Castle as well as the town's rich cultural life and history. The color red symbolizes love and also refers to Läänemaa and its coat of arms. The ring cross originates from the coat of arms of the former Ridala Municipality. It symbolizes the Tree of Life—signifying eternal life—and is derived from a unique ancient artifact: a trapezoidal grave slab located near the southwestern corner of Ridala Church.
Tomislav Šipek, 31 August 2026

older coat of arms; Tomislav Šipek, 31 August 2026

Former municipalities

Ridala

(7:11)
image by Ivan Sache, 31 May 2000

Ridala is a rural municipality (vald) in Läänemaa County (maakond). Adopted: 7 Febuary 2000. Ratio: 7:11
Dov Gutterman, 28 May 2000

The now-former municipality of Ridala was incorporated in 2007 into Haapsalu.
Tomislav Šipek, 31 August 2026