Visit San Marino, the Oldest Republic in the world

If fairytale castle fortresses built on mountain peaks are something you like, you need to visit San Marino, the Oldest Republic in the world. Spectacularly located on top of Mount Titan, near Rimini, it is an indipendent country, entirely sourrounded by Italy. Spend a couple of days visiting this micronation, with only 61 km2 and 30 thousand inhabitants.

Where is San Marino located?

As you can see on the map above San Marino is landlocked by Italy. It is one of the only three countries in the world entirely landlocked by another country. I managed to visit all of them: Vatican City, surrounded again by Italy, and Lesotho, landlocked by South Africa.

A brief history of San Marino

The country, whose independence has ancient origins, claims to be the world’s oldest surviving republic in the world. Legend says San Marino was founded on the 3rd of September 301 AD by the Christian stonecutter Marinus, later venerated as Sain Marinus. He emigrated from the island of Rab (in Croatia) to escape the Dioletianic Persecution. He made his way to Mount Titan. There he built a little church which led to the foundation of the micronation that we know today as San Marino.

Originally San Marino was just Mount Titan, however in 1463, due to an alliance against the Lord of Rimini, the Pope awarded San Marino the cities of Montegiardino, Serravalle, and Fiorentino. In 1631, the Papacy recognized the independence of this state.

During 1797 the Napoleon’s Army threatened the independence of San Marino. It was thanks to one of its regents, Antonio Onofri, that San Marino kept its indipendence. Onofri inspired in Napoleon a friendship and respect toward the sovereign state. Napoleon then promised to guarantee and protect the independence of the Republic and went even a step beyond, offering to extend its territory according to its needs. While grateful to Napoleon, San Marino politely denied the offer of territorial expansion.

During the Italian unification process in the 19th century, San Marino became a sanctuary for people persecuted due to their opposition for the unification. For this reason, Giuseppe Garibaldi, Italian military and a political figure, granted the request of San Marino not to be part of the Italian States. 

How to get there?

There is no airport or train station in San Marino. You can only reach the country by bus or by car. There is a bus from Rimini to San Marino which takes 50 mins and costs 5€.

I went by car and I did a little road trip around Italy, stopping by Civita di Bagnoregio, “the Dying Town”, on the way to San Marino. On the way back I explored Umbria, with the 2 towns of Perugia and Terni.

Where to stay?

There is only one hostel for backpackers that visit San Marino: San Marino Hostel. It has fair pricees, okay rooms, a big common area and an open kitchen for guests. I stayed there and left satisfied. It offers free parking and has a supermarket nearby.

You can reach the Old Town by Cable Car or you can drive to the top. If you have a car you better drive and park at parking number 9. The hostel provides you a discount card and you can leave your car in the old town at a rate of 4€ for 24 hours.

What to do in San Marino?

Stroll around the Old Town

The Old Town of San Marino is a pictoresque labyrint of narrow medieval streets, dotted with cafes and small shops. Check out Piazza della Liberta with Palazzo Publico, which serves as the Parliament Building.

At certain times you can also watch the changing of the Guard cerimony.

Have a look at the Basilica of San Marino, the biggest church in town, where all cerimonies take place.

Visit the Three Towers

Unmissable spot in San Marino, you need to check out the Three Towers:

Rocca Guaita (First Tower)

Rocca Guaita is the biggest, most iconic and best preserved tower on the peaks of Mount Titan. Historically the population of San Marino would take refuge against sieges inside this tower. Also, it was used as a prison up to as late as 1970! It can be visited and the ticket costs 4.5€.

Castello Cesta (Second Tower)

This tower hosts the city’s Museum of Archaic Arms, a large collection of ancient and medieval weaponry and battle dress.

Montale (Third Tower)

Montale is the smallest of the three towers. However, it had a strategic importance for its defensive role. In fact it is the best lookout post in the country, perfect to spot enemies trying to attack San Marino.

Walk along The Witches Path

The Witches Path (or Passo delle Streghe in Italian), is a cobbled walkway between the Guaita Tower and the Cesta Tower. Unmissable walk to do and admire the surrouding landscape.

Take the San Marino Cable Car

The Cable Car connects Borgo Maggiore to the Old Town. It is a 2 minute ride with great views of the surroundings and costs 2.8€ one way. If you have a car it is not the cheapest way to reach the Old Town (as parking 9 with the hostel discount is cheaper). Hence, you may skip the Cable Car, and just enjoy the view from one of the many other lookout points in San Marino.

Food to try in San Marino

The culture of San Marino is very similar to the one of Emilia Romagna, and the food is also quite the same. There are two food specialties you really need to try when you visit San Marino:

Piadina

Thinner than the one from Emilia Romagna, the piadina is a flat bread, shaped as a disk and filled with any ingredient you like. Ham, cheese. mushrooms, tomatoes and anything you prefer.

You can find many shops preparing the piadina, so you have plenty of choice.

Zuppa di fagioli con le cotiche

A typical winter dish, the “zuppa di fagioli con le cotiche” is a bean soup with pork rinds. Delicious but not recommended when the weather is hot.

Torta Tre Monti

Torta Tre Monti is a traditional Sammarinese cake made of layers of thin wafers, cemented together with chocolate or hazelnut creme. Chocolate fondant is put over the edges of cake as a final touch. It takes its name from the Three Towers of San Marino, symbol of the country.

Interesting things about San Marino

• The official currency is €, even though it’s not part of the European Union.
• You don’t need a Visa to visit San Marino and there are no borders with Italy.
• You can get your passport stamped at the Tourist Office for 5€
• San Marino has an embassy in the US, but not the oppostite.
• San Marino remained neutral in both the 1st and the 2nd World War.
• The City of San Marino is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The people of San Marino are referred to as Sammarinese.
• It is the 5th smallest country in the world, after Vatican City, Monaco, Nauru and Tuvalu.

Check out the official tourism board website of San Marino, if you want to find some more info!

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