Guida pratica

The ancient towers of freedom
According to historical traditions the ancient Republic of San Marino was founded by a Dalmation stone-cutter, Marinus, who had been commissioned by Diocletian to restore the city walls of Rimini.
Marinus and his collegue and friend Leone were Christians and, in order to escape the Emperor's persecution, one took refuge on Mount Feretrio and the other on Mount Titano. Marinus is described in a 10th century manuscript as the "libertatis fundator" of the tiny Republic.
In fact, San Marino's land area measures 61 square kilometres.

After about ten kilometres uphill, you are at the bottom of Monte Titano, in the ancient Borgo Maggiore, the old Mercatale which conserved through the years the old tracks of the council squares of the XIII century. A cable car offers a comfortable service, leaving each 15 minutes, and it allows to reach, only by two minutes, to the heart of the capital, San Marino, sweetly lying on Monte Titano (mt. 750 slm).

The historical centre, inside fortified walls, offers to the visitor the opportunity of an interesting tour among the characteristic quarters belonging to far away times, many scenic corners and glimpses of landscapes carrying an incomparable beauty, paths ending up to reach to the three medieval towers. These were built by the habitants of San Marino as a valid system of fortification, linked to each others in order to keep forever their Freedom, which observes the beautiful valley below from the top of Monte Titano. From the fortresses, the visitor’s eyes glimpse a suggestive landscape, full of different shades: as a frame, the sweet mounts of Appennino Tosco-Emiliano which gradually descend up to the Adriatic coast.

In the heart of the historical centre, in Piazza della Libertà, there is the Palazzo Pubblico, headquarters of the Big Council and the Parliament. Rebuilt in a neo-gothic style at the end of the XIX century, the inauguration speech was claimed by Giosuè Carducci,
Leaving Piazza della Libertà, a little climb leads to Basilica del Santo, in a neo-classical style, belonging to the XIX century. The interior, made up by three naves and seven altars, is rich thanks to all the priceless statues and paintings. The more important altair, by Tadolini, hosts the statue and the urn containing San Martino’s bones.
Next to the Basilica, there is the San Pietro Church, next to which there still are the stairs and the beds dig in the stone by Saints Martino and Leo.

An habitat and a landscape which carry aesthetic qualities, so special that it was claimed Patrimony of the Humanity by the Unesco. Independent since the XIII century, San Marino is “the only city-state which survives still nowadays as an excellent testimony of the foundation of a representative democracy based on the autonomy and the self-government."

The history of San Marino is amazing and unique and it is reflected in an original institutional system, becoming somehow an exemplum: the Chiefs of the State are two and keep their role for six months only, in order not to use their power to get privileges.

Suggestive tradition and ceremonies, which have never changed through the times, get back to life on the occasion of the most important festivals: every year, on 1st April and 1st October, San Marino celebrates the entrance of the Regent Captains, the two chiefs of the state which are going to govern during the following months, with a really suggestive ceremony which has been taking place for ages following an old protocol. The 3rd September is both the Patron Saint and the anniversary of the Foundation of the Republic, and it is celebrated with a big popular festival in which the old traditions are recalled, such as the quarrel of Palio delle Balestri Grandi.