"a tiny ickle country" a San Marino Travel Page by sourbugger

According to tradition, in early 4th century Marino, a stonecutter from Dalmatia engaged in construction of the Rimini port, took refuge on Mt. Titano to protect himself from the Diocleziano persecution against the Christians. By the mid-5th century, a community was formed. Because of its relatively inaccessible location and its poverty, it has succeeded in maintaining its independence. To protect the community against the Saracens and Normans, in the 10th century three strongholds were built, that became symbol of the republic born in 1253.
In 1631 its independence was recognized by the papacy. Italy and San Marino signed a treaty of friendship and economic cooperation in 1862, revised in 1939 and 1971. San Marino became a member of the United Nations in 1992.