Imagine a dark Italian night. You are at an altitude of 750 meters above sea level. Sounds are almost inaudible. There are occasional lanterns as you slowly climb to the highest point of Monte Titano. A well-lit medieval castle looms ahead. And somewhere on the horizon the Adriatic Sea turns black. You are in San Marino (on the map). This is the oldest state in the world in terms of the immutability of its borders. It gained independence on September 3, 301. While political storms and upheavals occur everywhere, exemplary stability reigns here. It’s all about the advantageous geographical location and tiny size.
The whole country fit on one mountain. Only 32 thousand people live here, and the area of the state occupies 61 square kilometers. What sights are hidden in this small area?
First of all, San Marino is famous for its towers. There are three of them here. According to the number of peaks of Monte Titano. Two of them look like classic medieval castles. There is a citadel and fortress walls around. And one quite fits the description of an ordinary tower. Here’s a little information for tourists:
— Tower of Guaita
The most famous and popular among travelers. It was built in the 11th century. Until 1979 it was used as a prison. True, there is a nuance. Only those who were not very guilty served their sentences here. All dangerous criminals were sent to Italian prisons.
— Tower of Chesta
Built in the 13th century on the highest point of Monte Titano. Since 1956, the museum of ancient weapons has been located here. Naturally, incredible views of the immediate surroundings are a bonus to the exhibition.
— Montale Tower
It was built in the 14th century and is very difficult to access for tourists. So it most often serves as a target for photographers with good lenses.
After visiting the fortifications, we advise you to pay attention to the Palazzo Publico. This is the political heart of the country. The mayor’s office and various government departments meet here. The palace itself was built in 1884 in the style of medieval Italian palazzos.
Just a couple of blocks away you can find the country’s main temple – the Basilica of San Marino. Together with the historical center of the city, it is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Its construction began in 1826 and lasted 12 years.
If you find yourself drawn to history and archaeology, take a look at the State Museum of San Marino. It can be found at Piazzetta del Titano 1. It is not very big. Only 5 thousand exhibits are stored here. There is no comparison with the Hermitage, so an hour is enough for you to fully examine the exhibition.
And finally, to really tickle your nerves, you can visit the torture museum. It contains more than a hundred different terrifying weapons. Not all exhibits belong to late reconstruction. There are original examples from the 16th – 17th centuries. Each instrument of torture has instructions for use in English. It is enough to allocate 30–40 minutes to view the exhibition. The entrance to the museum is 10 meters from the Saint Francis Gate.
We hope that the attractions we described above will really impress you. San Marino is a unique country with an amazing history and excellent tourism infrastructure. How much do local hotels cost? In addition, getting there is not difficult: fly to Rimini, then a short bus ride – and you are in San Marino.
