Size isn’t everything…




Welcome to the Republic of San Marino: the fifth smallest country in the world and sole survivor of Italy's once powerful city-state network.

According to tradition, it was founded by a Christian stonemason named Marinus in 301 and it's the world's oldest republic. The site "San Marino: Historic Center and Mount Titano" has become part of the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2008.
All lovers of history, and those who love picturesque panoramas, must visit this tiny nation. Three fortresses - Guaita, Cesta, and Montale - crown the long ridge of Mount Titano; they are linked by a paved path and each of them has a tower from which there are splendid views of the Apennines, the coastal plain, Rimini and the sea. The capital, San Marino city, is set high on the western side of Mount Titano, beneath the fortress, and is encircled by triple walls. Borgo Maggiore, further down, was for centuries San Marino's commercial centre, and Serravalle, beneath its castle of the Malatesta family, is agricultural and industrial. 






Surrounded by Italy, San Marino is not a member of the European Union. However, it maintains an open border with Italy so you don't need your passport to enter... but you can ask for a stamp in the tourist department as a souvenir! 

 


As an independent state, San Marino has its own military—one of the smallest in the world! The fascinating tradition of the changing of the guard is kept at the Palazzo Pubblico located in Piazza della Libertá.



Other interesting places to visit are:
The wax museum, which represents significant historical characters, each dressed in the clothing of their day and arranged in scenes. Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler are shown meeting, Jacqueline Kennedy is shown in audience with Pope John XXIII, and Giuseppe Garibaldi is at the bedside of his dying wife, Anita. Others are shown with their inventions or tools - Marconi with his telegraph, Galileo with telescope in hand, Da Vinci holding a paintbrush - or at historic moments, such as President Abraham Lincoln's assassination in Ford's Theater - Abraham Lincoln was an honorary citizen of San Marino.
The Maranello Rosso Ferrari Museum. The Vintage Car Museum at the foot of Mount Titano houses a collection of automobiles relating to the history, life, and cars of Enzo Ferrari and Carlo Abarth. You'll find sports cars, Formula 1, and cars belonging to famous people, including the Ferrari Spyder owned by Marilyn Monroe and 25 Ferrari cars dating from 1951 to the present. 










As one of the wealthiest countries in the world (based on GDP per capita) San Marino's economy relies heavily on finance, industry and tourism, and as a whole experiences low unemployment rates, no national debt and a budget surplus.

The cuisine is simple and delicious, very similar to the Italian cuisine but with some specialities of its own like the rabbit stew, torta tre monti (chocolate and hazelnut layer cake), delicious local wine and tilus, a truffle infused after-dinner liquor.
Ready to go?

Have a lovely journey!


PS. Don't forget to share ;-)

Morena Giannascoli

Location: San Marino

Comments

Radif Rahman said…
Really loved to read your article, I just love to travel.
2 September 2017 at 04:31
Porcelain Doll said…
Wow, it looks so beautiful! Thanks for one more idea to add to my "must visit" list. :)
2 September 2017 at 06:33
Unknown said…
Thank you very much for your kind comment.
2 September 2017 at 07:37
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