Leaving Rimini’s golden sandy beaches and salty sea air behind us for a while, we set off to explore the tiny state perched on a hilltop. The bus started from the centre of Rimini, and during the approximately one and a half hour, continuous climb, we could watch the landscape change from plains to rolling hills. Even from afar, the city of San Marino offered a stunning view on the steep cliffs of Monte Titano.
As soon as we got off the bus, we were immediately sucked in by the spirit of the place. We spent at least five hours exploring the winding, steep streets, where every turn offered a new panorama. The view from the bastions of the castle quarter was simply breathtaking: the entire area spread out beneath our feet, all the way to the Adriatic Sea. We also visited the local stamp and coin museum, and then continued our wandering within the medieval walls. The oldest state in Europe completely enchanted us with its majestic calm and historical patina before we headed back to the coast in the late afternoon.
The founding of San Marino dates back to the beginning of the 4th century, on September 3, 301 to be precise. According to legend, a Christian stonemason named Marinus arrived from the Dalmatian island of Arbe to escape the persecution of Christians by Emperor Diocletian. He settled on the mountain of Monte Titano, where he founded a small community and built a church. On his deathbed, he is said to have left his community freedom with these words: “Relinquo vos liberos ab utroque homine” (I leave you free from both men – referring to the emperor and the pope).
During the Middle Ages, San Marino existed as a small island in a sea of turbulent Italian city-states and papal possessions. While neighboring territories were constantly plagued by wars and power struggles, the San Marinos managed to maintain their autonomy. This was helped by the natural protection provided by the mountainous terrain and their diplomatic skills. They often formed alliances with neighboring powers, such as the Montefeltro family, to counter the ambitions of the rival Rimini (the Malatesta family).
San Marino is not only one of the smallest states, but also one of the most unique in terms of its political structure. Its constitution, the Statuta, written in Latin in 1600, is still the oldest surviving constitutional document in the world. The state is governed by two regent captains (Capitani Reggenti), who are elected for only six months. This system continues the tradition of the Roman consuls and ensures that no one person can seize power for too long.
When Napoleon conquered Italy in the late 18th century, he was so impressed by the resilience and history of the small republic that he offered to extend their territory all the way to the sea. The San Marino people wisely declined the offer, saying: “We are content with our own poverty, but we want to keep our freedom”. Later, during the Italian unification (Risorgimento), San Marino gave refuge to Giuseppe Garibaldi, who gratefully recognized the state’s independence, so San Marino did not become part of a unified Italy.
During the world wars of the 20th century, San Marino strictly maintained its neutrality. During the Second World War, despite its small territory, it provided shelter to over 100,000 refugees, several times its population. Today, the republic is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is proud to have existed for over 1,700 years. Its economy is now based mainly on tourism, financial services, and the issuance of stamps and coins, which are world-famous among collectors.
