What Does the Alfa Romeo Logo Mean?

When you take in a new Alfa Romeo model on the lot of Alfa Romeo FIAT of Santa Monica, such as the Alfa Romeo Stelvio or Alfa Romeo Giulia, one of the standout design features on the exterior is the Alfa Romeo logo itself. Resembling an old-fashioned family crest with a man-eating snake and a red and white symbol, the Alfa Romeo badge is unlike any other automaker’s logo. Our Santa Monica Alfa Romeo dealers are happy to explain how this logo came into being and what it symbolizes.

Logo History

To understand the logo, we need first to explain some history of the brand and the city of Milan. Alfa Romeo was founded in 1910 in Milan, Italy, and the initial concept came from designer Romano Cattaneo. He was inspired in the Piazza Castello in Milan while waiting for a tram. While waiting, he viewed on the station ceiling several interpretations of the coat of arms of the city of Milan, the Biscione Visconteo.

“Biscione” roughly translates to “grass snake,” and the icon is believed to stem from a serpent-adorned souvenir brought to Milan from Constantinople around 1000 AD. This image, plus an image of the official flag of Milan, a red cross on top of a white background, make up the Alfa Romeo logo.

Changes Over Time

As the 20^th century went on and Alfa Romeo became a more established automaker, the logo underwent minor changes. The most drastic of these occurred from 1946 to 1950, after the Italian monarchy fell. This period featured a simplified design with two-tone gold on a red background.

This is more than just a bit of branding; it’s a summation, at a glance, of a long and storied history. To learn more about the history of Alfa Romeo and the Alfa Romeo logo, or to test-drive a new Alfa Romeo vehicle, head over to Alfa Romeo FIAT of Santa Monica today.