San Marino Things to Do Tips by von.otter

The Views from San Marino Views Review

“The traveller will not forget to see the library, the museum, and the hospital, and will reserve as the crowning pleasure of his visit the magnificent view from the summit of the citadel, La Rocca. Words cannot convey an idea of its beauty and grandeur. A writer has well said that it alone will repay all the trouble of a journey to San Marino.”
— from “The Republic of San Marino” 1880 by Charles Bruc, duca di Busignano

The views from various points on the summit of Mount Titano speak for themselves.

I think I prefer the more dramatic stormy scenes. At the start of the day the weather see-sawed between light rain and none. The precipitation was never sufficient to keep us from our self-appointed duties as tourists.

The Arms Collection The castle Review

“The distance between the cities of Rimini and San Marino is thirteen miles, and the road, though so steep when within a few miles of the mountain as to require the addition of oxen to the carriage, is kept in excellent condition. After a pleasant drive of ten miles through a fertile valley abounding in vineyards and cornfields, the traveller arrives at the northern boundary of the republic. Here a stone formerly bore on one side the initials S. P. (Pontifical States), and on the other R. S. M. (Republic of San Marino), but time has obliterated all traces of the letters.”
— from “The Republic of San Marino” 1880 by Charles Bruc, duca di Busignano

La Cesta, the Second Tower, houses a museum of arms and armor; the collection was acquired by the State between 1956 and 1972. The four-room exhibition traces the development of sidearms and firearms.

The Chapel of St. Barbara Historical centre Review

“San Marino gazed down on this eventful Fifteenth Century as a chess-board in the game of history.”
— from “Two Quaint Republics, Andorra and San Marino” by Virginia Wales Johnson

Just within the gates of the First Tower, La Guaita, sits a stone chapel dedicated to St. Barbara.

Inside it is quite peaceful and could be otherwise overlooked.

The Third Tower, Montale The castle Review

“I am a Monarchist in France, but a Republican at San Marino.”
— François-René, Vicomte de Chateaubriand (1768–1848)

The smallest of the towers is the Third Tower, called La Montale; it dates to the end of the 13th century. It has played a strategic role with the best position for a lookout post. This tower stands on the lowest of Monte Titano’s summits. Like its two bigger brothers, this fortress has a pentagonal floor plan; but unlike its two bigger brothers, it is not open to the public. An eight-meter deep prison, called “the bottom of the tower,” is inside. Large rocks surround La Montale, forming a wall-like structure.

The Guard of the Great and General Council Changing of the guards Review

“Return to the hero who sent you; carry to him the free homage of our admiration and gratitude; tell him that the Republic of San Marino, satisfied with the narrow boundaries of its territory and with its modest existence, has no desire to accept his generous offer, nor of entertaining the ambitious idea of an aggrandizement which might in time compromise its liberty; tell him that its citizens will be under the greatest obligation to the French Republic and its invincible general if they can secure the public welfare by an extension of their commerce upon conditions the most favorable to their subsistence. Our wishes are limited to the accomplishment of this object, and we beg you to represent them to the general-in-chief.”
— Antonio Amafri, the Captain Regent of San Marino, he was named by his fellow citizens Father of the Country, his response to Gaspard Monge, Comte de Péluse, envoy from General Napoleon, May 1796.

Guardia del Consiglio Grande e Generale, the Guard of the Great and General Council, is locally called the Guard of Nobles, and was formed in 1740. With its navy blue and gold uniform (and those feathers!) the Guard protects the Captains Regent and the Great and General Council. They also provide a ceremonial bodyguard to government officials for festivals of both state and church.

Made up almost entirely of volunteers, the duties of the Guard of the Great and General Council are mostly ceremonial, although these men pass through a full military training.

Website: http://www.sanmarinosite.com/eng/index.php

Guarding the Rock Historical centre Review

“Viva Giangi! Viva San Marino! Viva la Repubblica!”
— Citizens of San Marino

LOYAL CITIZENS In October 1739, Giulio Cardinal Alberoni, Papal Legate in Rimini, crossed the border into San Marino. The cardinal tried to extend papal authority into the tiny, independent country. San Marino’s authorities blocked his attempt. Alfonso Giangi, a Captains-Regent in 1739-1740, declared, “I have sworn fidelity to the Republic of San Marino. I confirm this oath.” When his fellow Sammarinese heard his affirmation, they shouted their enthusiastic approval with the response above.

There was great pomp on display during our visit, with members of the Guard of the Rock and the Guard of the Council Great and General out in force.

Guardia di Rocca, the Guard of the Rock, a front-line military unit in San Marino’s armed forces, also carry out day-to-day law enforcement duties. In their role as Fortress Guards, they are responsible for protecting Palazzo Pubblico (see von.otter’s San Marino Thing-to-Do Tip for added information on Palazzo Pubblico). Each time a dignitary passed through the door the guard on duty stomped his feet on the small wooden platform. Love those spats!

The coat-of-arms of San Marino can be seen on the door next to the guard.

Website: http://www.sanmarinosite.com/eng/index.php

Palazzo Pubblico Historical centre Review

“In the early years of the fourth century, when the imperial power of Rome continued its persecutions of Christianity, some of the believers in the new religion braved their torments, while others, like Hilary and Jerome, concealed the observance of their worship. San Marino owes its origin to the latter class. Under the reign of the Emperors Diocletian and Maximian, at the time when the tenth persecution stained Rome with blood, a poor stone-cutter from Dalmatia, named Marinus, converted to the new faith, and exposed by the purity of his life and habits to the hatred of the pagan executioners, sought refuge upon Mount Titanus. There in the solitude of its summit he founded the first Christian hermitage.”
— from “The Republic of San Marino” 1880 by Carlo Bruc, duca di Busignano

Facing Piazza della Libertà and at Miss Liberty’s back is Palazzo Pubblico, the Government Building, built between 1884 and 1894; it stands on the site of the 14th century Domus Magna Comunis. Palazzo Pubblico was designed in the austere style of 14th century buildings of Italian city-states by Frencesco Azzurri, a Roman architect. Official state ceremonies are staged here; it is the seat of the Republic’s administration.

San Marino’s principal administrative groups hold their meetings at Palazzo Pubblico, including the Captains Regent, the Grand and General Council, the Council of XII, and the Congress of State.

To meet today’s strict safety standards, Palazzo Pubblico underwent an extensive renovation process under the guidance of Gae Aulenti; it was completed on 30.September.1996

Address: Piazza della Libertà

Website: http://www.sanmarinosite.com/eng/index.php

San Marino, Its Coat-of-Arms Historical centre Review

“Tomorrow we are going to the famous Republic of San Marino, thirteen kilometres from here. It is the oldest republic in Europe, and the smallest in the world, so I am most desirous of seeing its quaint capital. Senator Frye told me that he had helped to arrange a treaty with this republic, and asked me the last time I saw him in Washington if I had ever been there. I will write you all about it in a day or so. Much love to all at home.”
— from “Italian Castles and Country Seats” 1911 by Tryphosa Bates Batcheller (1876-1952)

On each of Monte Titano’s three peaks is one of the three towers of San Marino. These three towers, topped by feathers combined with the Latin assertion Libertas, form the country’s coat of arms.

The coat-of-arms appears everywhere, in many forms, including a tile mosaic (see photo #2) for sale in one of San Marino’s many souvenir shops. As well as an embroidered version (see photo #1) for sale in an antique shop.

Website: http://www.sanmarinosite.com/eng/index.php

Miss Liberty Historical centre Review

“These towers crown San Marino, one of the smallest and most famous republics in Europe.”
— from “Two Quaint Republics: Andorra and San Marino” 1913 by Virginia W. Johnson (1849-1916)

CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT Stylized versions of those three towers crown the head of Miss Liberty, the white marble figure at the center of Piazza della Libertà. Presented to the Republic in 1876 by Ottilie Heyroth Wagener (see photo #5), Miss Liberty is the work of Stefano Galletti.

Mrs. Wagener was the widow of San Marino’s former minister in Paris. For the gift of Miss Liberty and for her husband’s diplomatic efforts, this micronation conferred upon Mrs. Wagener the high-sounding title of Duchess of Acquaviva, a hamlet just outside the capital of San Marino, called San Marino.

Address: Piazza della Libertà

Website: http://www.sanmarinosite.com/eng/index.php

The Second Tower, La Cesta, Part II The castle Review

“San Marino does not occupy an important place among nations. Catholic in religion, these republicans have ever resisted the temporal rule of Rome. A famous tenet of Venice was ‘We are Venetians, and then Christians.’ San Marino, in staunch loyalty, must have early adopted a similar creed.”
— from “Two Quaint Republics, Andorra and San Marino” by Virginia Wales Johnson

La Cesta, the Second Tower, was built at the end of the 11th century; it, too, too has a pentagonal footprint. La Cesta was home to the Fortification Guards Division; and it was used as a prison with a few cells. The tower lost it strategic importance around the end of the 16th century, and it fell into disuse.

Following the construction of the Rimini-to-San Marino railroad in 1930, San Marino decided to restore and conserve it medieval monuments in an effort to stimulate tourism.

During our visit a periodic light drizzle did fall from the grey sky; it was too insignificant to deter us.