History of the Arenas Coat of Arms

Arenas de San Pedro. Always burned and always loyal.
This is the legend that has identified the town of Arenas on its heraldic shield, at least since 1844. If you look at the front of this room, overseeing the conference table is the coat of arms of our city. A symbol and reflection of some of the episodes that unquestionably have marked our history.

Why "always burned and always loyal"?
In 1809, Spain was immersed in the War of Independence against the armies of Napoleon Bonaparte. In the month of February of that same year, a French detachment arrived in Arenas with the intention of plundering our town. The residents of that time, far from allowing it, confronted them and killed many of them, preventing the looting and defending our town and our people.
Days later, retaliation came. A significant contingent of French forces, commanded by General Leval, set fire to more than 300 houses, the Town Hall, the Municipal Archive, the school, the convent of the Augustinians located in the small square, and the convent of the Virgin del Pilar located in San Agustín. Thirty-one residents of our city were killed, many others were dispersed and mistreated, many houses and buildings were looted, and entire neighborhoods were destroyed. Undoubtedly, these were tragic events that marked our town and our history to the point of defining our legend: Always burned and always loyal. Alongside the palm and the olive branch, symbols of martyrdom and fortitude.

The history of the different coats of arms that have been officially used in our city can be seen represented in the fountain located outside this castle in the "Siempre incendiada" square.