Italy. Lombardy Region. Milan. Pirate flag in front of Milan Cathedral (Italian: Duomo di Milano). The cathedral is the largest church in Italy and is dedicated to the Nativity of St Mary (Santa Maria Nascente). Jolly Roger (the skull and crossbones on a black flag) is the flag flown to identify a pirate ship about to attack during the early 18th century. © 1989 Didier Ruef