Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SAN MARINO
Of the world's 193 independent countries, San Marino is the fifth smallest and - arguably -
the most curious. How it exists at all is something of an enigma. A sole survivor of Italy's
once powerful city-state network, this landlocked micronation clung on long after the more
powerful kingdoms of Genoa and Venice folded. And still it clings, secure in its status as
the world's oldest surviving sovereign state and its oldest republic (since AD 301). San
Marino also enjoys the lowest unemployment rate in Europe and one of the planet's highest
GDPs.
Measuring 61 sq km, the country is larger than many outsiders imagine, being made up
of nine municipalities each hosting its own settlement. The largest 'town' is Dogana (on the
bus route from Italy), a place 99.9% of the two million annual visitors skip on their way
through to the Città di San Marino, the medieval settlement on the slopes of 750m-high
Monte Titano that was added to the Unesco World Heritage list in 2008.
Though San Marino is old and commands some astounding views, it retains a curious
lack of intimacy and (for want of a better word) soul.
Sights & Activities
Citta di San Marino's highlights are its spectacular views, its Unesco-listed streets, and a
stash of rather bizarre museums dedicated to vampires, torture, wax dummies and strange
facts. Ever popular is the half-hourly
changing of the guard
(
May-Sep)
in Piazza della
Libertà.
Castello della Cesta
(admission €4.50; 8am-8pm mid-Jun-mid-Sep, 9am-5pm mid-Sep-mid-Jun)
Dominating the skyline
and offering superb views towards Rimini and the coast, the Cesta dates from the 13th cen-
tury and sits atop 750m Monte Titano. Today you can walk its ramparts and peep into a
small
museum
devoted to medieval armaments.
The admission price also includes entry to the
Castello della Guaita
(Salita alla Roca; admission
€4.50; 8am-8pm mid-Jun-mid-Sep, 9am-5pm mid-Sep-mid-Jun)
, the older of San Marino's
castles, dating from the 11th century. It was still being used as a prison until as recently as
1975.
CASTLE
