San Marino

Understand

The Republic of San Marino (Italian: Repubblica di San Marino) is the world's oldest republic and Europe's third smallest state. It is the sole survivor of the patchwork of independent city-states that used to make up the Italian peninsula before the unification of Italy. It lies 657 m (2,156 ft) above sea level with spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and Adriatic coast, only 10 km (6.2 mi) from Rimini. Legend has it that the founder of San Marino, Saint Marinus, a stonemason, arrived from the island of Rab in Dalmatia, and climbed Mount Titano to found a small community of Christians, persecuted for their faith by the Emperor Diocletian. The country is said to have been founded in 301 AD. San Marino gave itself a constitution in 1600, the oldest written constitution still in effect, and the only republican constitution written in Latin that still has the force of law. During the tumultuous period starting with the French Revolution, San Marino managed to preserve its independence through several strokes of luck. First, a Sammarinese politician befriended Corsican general Napoleon Bonaparte during his Italian campaign, but wisely declined his offers for more territory. Later, the small republic gave refuge to other Republicans throughout Italy, including Garibaldi, which made him disposed to respect Sammarinese wishes to stay independent. San Marino also gave honorary citizenship to Abraham Lincoln, which inspired the Great Emancipator to laud San Marino's old and stable republican institutions and point to them as an example for the US and the world to follow. San Marino is made up of a few towns dotted around the countryside. The capital of San Marino, the City of San Marino (Città di San Marino), is situated high up on a mountain top. The capital is

See

San Marino’s main attractions are the three towers, which feature on the national flag. Only the 1 Guaita Tower and the 2 Cesta Tower are open to visitors. They are small castles at the top of Mount Titano, offering excellent views over San Marino and Italy as well as the Adriatic Sea. The third and smallest of the towers, 3 Montale Tower, is inaccessible and was once used as a prison. Cesta is the largest of the towers and inside, there is the Museum of Archaic Arms showcasing arms and armour from the Middle Ages to the 1800s. You can purchase the “Yellow Card” for €3 which lets you enter one castle, or the “Red Card” which lets you enter both and is €4.50. Between the two towers is a path which follows the city walls along the side of a cliff. The towers offer good photo opportunities. Other attractions include:

4 Basilica di San Marino, Piazzale Domus Plebis. A neoclassical style Catholic church dedicated to the founder and patron saint of San Marino, Saint Marinus. It is the main church of San Marino. Rebuilt several times, the current incarnation is from the 19th century. (updated Feb 2020) 5 Piazza della Libertà. This small square offers expansive views and is flanked on both sides by two government buildings, including the Palazzo Pubblico, the town hall. Inside the town hall, see the council chambers for its frescos. The buildings and statue (Statua della Libertà) in the centre of the square are lit up at night, which combined with the limited tourists during that time, makes for a serene sight. (updated Apr 2017) 6 State Museum (Museo di Stato), Piazzetta del Tita

Getting there

San Marino is only accessible through Italy. There are no border controls when travelling between Italy and San Marino, so it's safe to say that you need a Schengen visa to enter (if you are required to get one, that is). If you want a passport stamp, you can obtain one for €5 from the 1 Tourist Office at Contrada Omagnano, 20. If you plan on staying for more than 30 days in the country, you need to get a permit from the government.

By plane San Marino has no airports. The nearest major airport is the 1 Federico Fellini International Airport (RMI IATA) at Rimini. To reach San Marino from the airport, you will either have to drive or take the bus that departs from the Rimini train station to San Marino. There are other airports at Ancona, Bologna and Forlì.

By train San Marino has no railway stations. The nearest major railway station is at Rimini. San Marino is one of only two mainland European countries without rail service or lines, but unlike Andorra it did have a line in the past. Unfortunately, the line did not survive World War II, although many disused bridges, tunnels and stations are still well visible, and in some cases have been refurbished and converted to parks, public footpaths or traffic routes. Next to the terminal station of the City of San Marino, an 800 m (2,600 ft) long electrified stretch has been reactivated for tourist and promotional reasons, and the government of San Marino has announced plans for the restoration of the line at least as far as Borgo Maggiore.

By car You should have no problems driving into San Marino. Border controls do not exist. The City of San Marino has limited parking, so why not leave your car in nearby Borgo Maggiore and take the cable car up to the city? There is plenty of parking near the cable car station.

Getting around

Once you're inside the walled city, it's small enough to simply walk around. There are only a few streets on which cars are able to drive (and only if they are small cars). Be aware that the City of San Marino is quite vertical, making it potentially difficult for those with mobility issues to climb the switchback cobblestone streets. However, there are elevators scattered throughout town that allow easier movement up and down the city. There is a 1.5 km (0.93 mi) cable railway (funivia) connecting the city of San Marino to Borgo Maggiore. €3 for a one-way ticket, €5 round-trip (Aug 2024). Outside of the capital, walking is not so easy. San Marino is the only country in the world with more vehicles than people, and it shows—sidewalks are inconsistent at best, especially when going between towns. However, there is a shaded stone path, Costa dell'Arnella, between the City of San Marino and Borgo Maggiore. It starts at the western end of Contrada Omerelli and ends a short distance from the Borgo Maggiore cable car station. Because the City of San Marino is so high up, the path is quite steep. The bus from Rimini is somewhat useful for travel between towns, and San Marino also has its own bus system.

By car The roadways in San Marino are curvy, steep, and narrow. To avoid getting disoriented, it is a good idea to carry a map. For newcomers, the route network can be puzzling. The nation has just one main thoroughfare. The four-lane national roadway is the superstrada from Rimini. It goes directly into the old town from the border. The nation is divided by the Superstrada. You need to be shrewd if you want to turn left off the route. On the Superstrada, there aren't many left turns; instead, you must turn right and travel through a tunnel. Understanding how to cross the ro