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San Marino
The charming and ancient Republic of San Marino is situated in the heart of Italy and, from the top of Mount Titano, overlooks the Adriatic Sea. This small piece of land is strongly attached to its freedom and ancient traditions.
The origins of San Marino are legendary: according to tradition Marino, a stonecutter from Dalmatia who had become a saint, came to Mount Titano to found a Christian community during emperor Diocletian’s persecutions.
Every corner of this wonderful place offers fabulous views of the rich plain of Romagna and of the gentle lands of the Marches and Montefeltro.
On the top of Mount Titano stand the three Fortresses, ancient fortifications which are linked to each other by walls and connected to the town through special trenches. Rocca Guaita is the first tower and was built in the 11 th century. Rocca Cesta dates back to the 13th century and currently houses the Musemum of Ancient Arms. The third fortress, Montale, is visibile only from the outside.
The Republic of San Marino is surrounded by ancient walls and is composed of nine Castles, each one representing a different district: the nucleus of San Marino; the castle of Serravalle with its traditional quarters; Borgo Maggiore, which is connected to the town centre through a picturesque ropeway; Faetano, an ancient possession of the Malatesta family from Rimini, now offering a small lake for sports fishing; Domagnano, full of belvederes; Chiesanuova, immersed in the unspoiled nature; the castle of Acquaviva, famous for the numerous craftsmen’s workshops and its traditional dairy products; Fiorentino, an archaeological site; and Montegiardino, of Lombardic origin, housing a beautiful ancient castle.
The town centre of San Marino is rich in monuments and museums, many of which are well worth a visit. The Public Palace, which stands in the Piazza della Libertà, is a neo-Gothic building on Romanesque foundations and is supervised by the Fortress Guard, which was set up in the middle of the eighteenth century. The State Museum in the Pergami Palace houses archaeological remains and art works dating back from the Neolithic period to the Middle Ages, and an art gallery displaying paintings of the 14th-19th centuries. St. Francis’s Church, which features an annexed museum-gallery, dates back to the 14th century and is the oldest church in San Marino; the Basilica of San Marino, built on a Romanesque base in the early 19th century, is rich in statues and valuable paintings. Finally, for those who love strong sensations, the Museum of Torture displays more than 100 disquieting instruments which were used to inflict pain and death.
One of the main curiosities of this small Republic is the fact that the office of Head of State is held by two different people named the ‘Captains Regent’. The duration of their appointment sets a world record, as they hold office for only six months. From May to September tourists can attend the changing of the guard, every hour from 8.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.
In order to recall and celebrate the Middle Ages, every year San Marino organizes the so called ‘Medieval Days’ – which normally take place around the last week in August.