"San Marino: ancient land of liberty" Top 5 Page for this destination San Marino by gordonilla

San Marino Travel Guide: 104 reviews and 413 photos

An inspiration for a trip to San Marino

A great many years ago, I was given a book by one of my aunts. It was called "Peoples of the World in Pictures" and had been published in 1936. It must have been an interesting and challenging book to create then - now it shows what the world looked like in the past, which is of course forever a foreign land.

There was a small section, one image and 4 lines of text about San Marino. From then onwards I have always wanted to visit this tiny neutral republic; so finally I am here.

Sadly this has not started off well, Air Dolomiti and Lufthansa managed to ensure I arrived in one piece, whilst they decided that I did not need any luggage for the first two days of the trip.

Both the luggage and I are now reunited - sadly it meant that my plans for day 2, a trip to Rovigo were cancelled as was an alternative trip to Bologna.

Luckily the weather has been fine and I am feeling refreshed and enjoying the sunshine after the stressfulness of losing luggage and the customer service of the airline doing it's best to make the situation worse.

(You should note that my luggage has in fact spent 2 days in Vienna before arriving in Rimini and then onto San Marino.)

The Republic occupies some 61 sq km in the heart of Italy between the Romagna and Marche regions, a short distance from the Adriatic Riviera.

The State of San Marino, considered to be the oldest Republic in the world, is governed by its own laws and institutions. It should be noted that millions of people visit annually - finding hospitality, and a heritage of monuments, museums, works of art and lots of shopping options.

At the top of Mount Titano, there are three fortresses. These are linked by walls where visitors can stroll to the town below, which is enclosed by a circle of walls separated by various gates, bulwarks and keeps. Inside the town walls are medieval squares, buildings, museums, churches and houses.

The Republic of San Marino

St Marino

Tradition says that the Republic of San Marino was founded in 301 A.D. by Marinus, who was a native of Arbe in Dalmatia. He was a Christian holy man and fled persecution, and was later joined by other Christians.

During the middle-ages, the community grew and reached its current size through war and conquest. It was often allied with neighbouring states and strengthened its institutional organisation.

The Republic of San Marino has its territory divided into nine districts; these districts are called Castles. A number of the Castles joined the Republic of their own free will and others were conquered during the last war against the Malatestas, the Lords of Rimini, in 1463.

San Marino

Acquaviva

Borgo Maggiore

Chiesanuova (joined the Republic in 1320)

Domagnano

Faetano (joined the Republic in 1463)

Fiorentino (conquered and annexed to the Republic in 1463)

Montegiardino (conquered by the Republic in 1463)

Serravalle (joined the Republic in 1463)

It seems that each of these modern day districts has a wide range of shops and leisure facilities open and available to all citizens of, and visitors to, the Republic of San Marino.

Liberty Square and Government House

Palazzo del Governo - Government House

Government House was inaugurated on the 30 September 1894, it had taken 10 years to build. It was planned by the Roman architect, Francesco Azzurri and was built with the help of local stone-cutters. The original 16th century Palazzo del Governo had been on the same site.

The Republic of San Marino has diplomatic relations with over 70 countries, both European and non-European. In addition the Republic is a member of a number of international organisations, which include:

The United Nations

UNESCO

The Council of Europe

The International Monetary Fund

The International Court of Justice

The World Health Organisation

The World Tourism Organisation

ICPO - Interpol

The Republic cooperates with both UNICEF and the UN High Commission for Refugees and has official relations with the European Union. San Marino also takes part in the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Last visit to San Marino: Apr 2010
Intro Updated Jun 29, 2010
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Reviews (23)

Transport in San Marino Transportation (4)

It seems that there is a limited opportunity to use different means of public transport in the Republic. However, the... more travel advice

St Quirino Church of the Cappuchin... Things to Do (13)

The Church was built in the 16th Century; on the site of an older chapel devoted to St Quirino. It is described in many... more travel advice

Basilica del Santo - (the Saint's... Things to Do (13)

The current Basilica was built at the beginning of the 19th Century, it was constructed on the foundations of a... more travel advice

International Bus Connections Transportation (4)

The service operates between San Marino and Rimini Railway Station. Please note that the timetable is fixed and runs on... more travel advice

Hotels (1)
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Comments (4)

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yumyum Feb 26, 2011 at 2:32 AM

Hope to visit this tiny country some day! Great to know about the buses to Rimini :)
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Old_Republic Jul 4, 2010 at 6:27 AM

What i'd like to know is if there is a local bus service within the City of San Marino besides that connecting Rimini to San Marino.
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Maurizioago Jun 27, 2010 at 1:45 PM

I liled San Marino a lot. Ciao!
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Mikebond Apr 30, 2010 at 11:34 AM

Wise decision, Gordon! :)