Centro Studi Araldici

The Centro Studi Araldici (Centre for Heraldic Studies) is a private, non-profit Italian institution dedicated to the study, preservation and promotion of heraldry. It was formally established by public notarial deed on 16 September 2006 (Rep. No. 19277/14900), although the project at its core — the Stemmario Italiano® — was conceived in 1999 by Raffaele Coppola and went online in 2005. The organisation is based in Arcisate, in the province of Varese, Lombardy, and is composed of enthusiasts and scholars of heraldry who work to keep the discipline alive in contemporary society. The Centro Studi Araldici operates on four declared levels: rediscovering heraldic material through historical research; preserving it by collecting, ordering and cataloguing documents and knowledge; disseminating it by making as much information and material as possible freely accessible to the public; and diffusing heraldry by reviving its use as a distinctive form of cultural expression. Its main initiatives include the Stemmario Italiano (an Italian armorial), Araldica On Line, the Gazzettino Araldico, the Notiziario Araldico, the Premio Scudo d'Oro (Golden Shield Prize), publications, meetings and conferences, and a service for creating coats of arms. The organisation also maintains a website with news and appointments, and collaborates with other heraldic bodies. As a non-profit cultural association, the Centro Studi Araldici does not sell commercial products in the traditional sense; its "offerings" are research projects, publications, online resources and events. It is not a listed company and has no parent company. Its work is aimed at both scholars and the general public, with a strong emphasis on free access to heraldic information. The centre's activities are documented on its official website, which also provides contact details and opportunities to collaborate or support the institution.

The Centro Studi Araldici was formally constituted by public notarial deed on 16 September 2006 (Rep. No. 19277/14900). Its origins, however, lie in the Stemmario Italiano® project, conceived in 1999 by Raffaele Coppola and launched online in 2005. The centre was created to develop and realise that project, which aims to document Italian coats of arms. From its base in Arcisate, Italy, the organisation has grown into a private, non-profit institution composed of heraldry enthusiasts and scholars. It operates on four levels: rediscovering, preserving, disseminating and diffusing heraldry. Over the years it has initiated a range of activities, including the Stemmario Italiano, Araldica On Line, the Gazzettino Araldico, the Notiziario Araldico, the Premio Scudo d'Oro, publications, meetings and conferences, and a coat-of-arms creation service. The centre continues to publish news and appointments on its website and collaborates with other heraldic bodies.

• 2006

  Centro Studi Araldici formally constituted by public notarial deed on 16 September (Rep. No. 19277/14900).

• 2005

  Stemmario Italiano goes online.

• 1999

  Stemmario Italiano® project conceived by Raffaele Coppola.

Non-profit academic institution for the promotion of heraldry, offering free access to heraldic resources and research.

• Stemmario Italiano

  An Italian armorial project, online since 2005, conceived in 1999.

• Araldica On Line

  Online heraldry resource.

• Gazzettino Araldico

  Heraldic newsletter or gazette.

• Notiziario Araldico

  Heraldic news bulletin.

• Premio Scudo d'Oro

  Golden Shield Prize, a heraldic award.

• Creare uno stemma

  Service for creating coats of arms.

1. 1Centro Studi Araldici official websitecentrostudiaraldici.org
2. 2Chi siamo | Centro Studi Araldicicentrostudiaraldici.org
3. 3Wikidata: Centro Studi Araldiciwikidata.org