Each tower in San Marino's flag coat of arms is topped with what?

Each tower in San Marino’s flag coat of arms is topped with an ostrich plume.

The three towers are Guaita, Cesta and Montale, the historic fortifications on Monte Titano. They appear on three green mountain peaks within the shield, making the towers a direct emblem of San Marino’s landscape and defensive history. In heraldic description, each tower is weather-vaned with a silver ostrich plume.

The plumes are easy to miss because the complete coat of arms also contains a closed crown above the shield, a laurel branch on one side, an oak branch on the other and a scroll bearing the motto “Libertas,” meaning “Freedom.” The crown represents state sovereignty, while the branches traditionally suggest victory, virtue, strength and stability.

A common mistake is to answer “crown,” because the crown is the most prominent object above the shield. It does not top the individual towers, however. The feathers belong to the towers themselves and are separate from the crown. San Marino’s official flag is a horizontal white-and-light-blue bicolour with the coat of arms centred on it; a civil version may omit the arms.