Order of Charlemagne

The Order of Charlemagne (Catalan: Orde de Carlemany) is the only civil decoration issued by the government of the Principality of Andorra.

Medal of the Order of Charlemagne.

History

The Order of Charlemagne was created the 7th December 2007 by the Minister of Culture Juli Minoves Triquell.

The name of the order was given to honor the figure of the founder of the Principality of Andorra, Emperor Charlemagne of the Franks, that gave the sovereignty of land of the Valleys of Andorra to the people that lived there, because they helped him fighting the Saracens. Since then, the name of Charlemagne became a national symbol.

The purpose of the Order of Charlemagne is "to reward the merits of those who have excelled in their field of work and who have made outstanding services to the Andorran State".

Structure

The order is divided in four classes:

• Collar.
• Grand Cross.
• Commander.
• Medal.

The Grand Master of the Order is the Prime Minister of the Principality of Andorra (currently Antoni Martí) and the Grand Chancellor is the Minister of Culture (currently Albert Esteve).

Sources

• "Ordre ministerial sobre l’atorgament dels premis i reconeixements Carlemany, Article 13" (in Catalan). Butlletí Oficial del Principat d’Andorra (Official Bulletin of the Principality of Andorra): p. 5530. 12 December 2007. http://www.apaea.ad/portal/images/stories/Bopa%20104.pdf. Retrieved 24 November 2010.