10 Things to Do and See in San Marino

Between Emilia Romagna and the Marche lies the serene Republic of San Marino, the capital of independence, the oldest existing republic in the world. An entryway to the country, with narrow streets filled with artisan shops, towers that overlook the mountain, the blue and orange uniforms of the guards at the entrance, cavalry swords, and feathered hats, all contribute to a royal atmosphere.

Everything combines to create a place where one breathes an ancient, magical, medieval atmosphere, like 'once upon a time...'. According to legend, the Republic was founded on September 3, AD 301 by a stonecutter named Marino, who came from Dalmatia to escape Christian persecutions. On Mount Titano (the highest of the seven hills on which the Republic stands), Marino established a small Christian community.

Consequently, Mount Titano later took on the name 'Land of San Marino' in honor of the founder. Before dying, the saint left his people with these words: "Reliquo vos liberos ab utroque homine," meaning "I leave you free from both men", referring to the Pope and the Emperor. *Since then, the country has always managed to maintain its independence.

Today, the State is divided into 9 towns: the City of San Marino (the capital), Borgo Maggiore, Serravalle, Acquaviva, Chiesanuova, Domagnano, Faetano, Fiorentino, and Montegiardino. A small treasure trove of atmospheres and works of art that we indicate on this page, starting with the 10 must-do and see things in San Marino.

If you've ever seen a postcard from San Marino, it likely depicted Liberty Square and the Public Palace, also known as the Government Palace.

The square is not very large but very harmonious, with the statue of Liberty at its center, a work by artist Stefano Galletti and a symbol of the independence that has always characterized the country.

The Public Palace, built by architect Azzurri and inaugurated in 1894, is the center of political life in San Marino, hosting meetings of the Grand and General Council, the State Congress, and the Council of Twelve.

Inside this charming town hall, one can admire effigies of famous figures and commemorative plaques. In the council chamber, one can observe the works of the Grand and General Council when the session is not secret.

Don't miss the changing of the guard every 30 minutes during the summer in Liberty Square. Behind the Palace is the Archers' Quarry, from which stones were extracted to build the building. Every year to celebrate the foundation of the Republic (September 3), the crossbow tournament is held here.

Opening hours: Daily: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Ticket counter closes at 4:30 PM Ticket prices: The Public Palace is part of the State Museums network. Full price: €4.50 Reduced: €3.50 for groups of over 25 people, school groups, children aged 6 to 12, and seniors over 65. Two-museum ticket: €6.50 for two museums of your choice among the five State Museums (First Tower, Second Tower, Public Palace, San Francesco Museum, and State Museum). Multi-museum ticket: €10.50 for all five State Museums (First Tower, Second Tower, Public Palace, San Francesco Museum, and State Museum). The ticket is valid for 10 days from the first validation. Multi-museum TuttoSanMarino card: €7.50 reserved for holders of the TuttoSanMarino card for the five State Museums (First Tower, Second Tower, Public Palace, San Francesco Museum, and State Museum). The ticket is valid for 10 days from the first validation. Free admission: disabled individuals and their companions, children under 6 years old. All tickets include €1.50 deposit which will be returned upon returning the ticket at the ticket offices.

The Basilica of the Saint is the main church of the country dedicated to Saint Marino, the founder of the Republic. It was designed by the Bolognese Antonio Serra and opened to the public in 1838 after about 13 years of work.

On the facade of the basilica is a Latin inscription dedicated to the saint: "Divo. Marino. Patrono. Et Libertatis. Avctori. Sen. PQ". The facade of the church impresses with its majesty in relation to the small square it is located in.

The interior of the basilica is divided into three naves with 16 Corinthian columns; the main altar is adorned with the statue of Saint Marino, while underneath lie his relics.

Don't miss a visit to the nearby St. Peter's chapel, with its apse entirely carved into the rock. In the two niches, still visible, it is said that Saint Marino and Saint Leo rested, and the stones are believed to have healing powers.

Unfortunately, it's hard to verify this as the chapel is always locked and one must ask the custodian of the Basilica to visit it.

After passing souvenir shops of every kind, you reach the top of the Castle. Here begins the "step of the witches", a spectacular trail that connects the three main towers and offers unmistakable panoramic views. The three medieval towers are certainly the symbol of the city of San Marino.

Built to defend against attacks from the Malatesta of Rimini, the three towers rise above the rocky spur of Mount Titano. The first tower is the Guaita Tower (Rocca) and is the oldest tower in Italy, dating back to around the 11th century.

The second is the Cesta Tower (Fratta) dating back to around 1400; it stands at the highest point of the mountain and houses the Museum of Ancient Weapons. The third tower is known as Montale, the smallest of the three, and features a single opening on top that provides access to a deep prison known as the "bottom of the tower." However, today it can only be viewed from the outside.

Opening hours: Daily: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Ticket counter closes at 4:30 PM Ticket prices: see the section for Public Palace, Point 1.

The State Museum is the most important museum in San Marino and is located in Piazza Titano, not far from other attractions. Founded in the 19th century thanks to national and international donations, it currently preserves over 5,000 historical and artistic pieces related to the history and legend of San Marino. The museum is divided into four main areas:

• Sammarinese Archaeology (ground floor)
• Art in the Republic (first floor)
• Donated Art (second floor)
• Donated Archaeology and Numismatics (lower floor)

The archaeological section with finds ranging from the Neolithic to the Middle Ages is a must-see, as well as the art gallery which exhibits paintings from the 14th to the 19th centuries. The gallery is rich in works from the 14th to 19th centuries, including pieces by Guercino, C. Gennari, M. Loves, E. Sirani, P.Batoni.

**Where: Piazza Titano 1 Opening hours: Daily: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Ticket counter closes at 4:30 PM Ticket prices: see the section for Public Palace, Point 1.

Right next to the San Francesco Gate is the Torture Museum, a truly "terrifying" place. A unique exhibition in the world with rare pieces dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries.

There are over 100 original instruments displayed for inflicting pain and death: from the Inquisitorial Chair to the Oral Pear, and the Knee Splitter, this place represents the true essence of the history of torture and humankind's ability to invent instruments to mutilate, maim, dismember, massacre, and kill others with violence and cruelty.

**Where: Next to San Francesco Gate - historic center Opening hours: from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. In winter, the hours will be reduced Ticket prices: Adults: €8.50. Students: €6.00. Groups of at least 10 people: €4.00. Children 0-10 years: free.

Perhaps these are not the two main reasons people decide to go to San Marino, but if you have a bit of time and are curious to know how much the heaviest man in the world weighs or to see a wax figure of Hitler, these two small museums are the right place to visit.

Take a stop at the Curiosity Museum, a collection of facts, characters, objects, and completely unusual news, because curiosity is the essence of fun.

Of course, it's a bit over-the-top in terms of culture, but it's a good way to spend an hour wandering among a 19th-century flea trap, a nose clock, the longest nails in the world, and the shortest woman in the world at 59 cm.

In the Wax and Torture Instruments Museum, you can have close encounters with illustrious characters. Since 1996, this museum has presented a prestigious historical reconstruction in 40 scenes and 100 characters reproduced in the settings and costumes of the historical Republic of San Marino.

**Where: Climb to the Rock, 26 Opening hours: open all year round from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM July from 9:30 AM to 9:00 PM August from 9:30 AM to 10:00 PM. September from 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM Ticket prices: Adults €7.50. Reduced €4.00

**Where: Via Lapicidi Marini, 17 Opening hours: from October to March 9:00 AM-12:30 PM/2:00 PM-5:30 PM April, May, June, and September 9:00 AM-6:30 PM July and August 9:00 AM-8:00 PM; from August 11 to 21 9:00 AM-11:00 PM Ticket prices: Adults €7.00. Ages 6-15 €5.00.

The most scenic, quick, and adventurous way to reach San Marino is the cable car that departs from Borgo Maggiore. After leaving your car in one of the nearby parking lots, you begin an ascent with a height difference of 166 meters that allows you to admire panoramas of over 200 kilometers of Adriatic Coast in just 2 minutes. If you're afraid to take the trip, it might help to remember that the first passenger of the cable car inaugurated in 1956 was the statue of Our Lady of Fatima, transported to Borgo Maggiore by helicopter!

Another historic transportation method to visit is the Rimini-San Marino electric railway inaugurated on June 12, 1932. The railway, which was a true engineering masterpiece at the time, connected Rimini and San Marino in one hour. Bombed during World War II, it ceased operation, but the historic locomotive, restored after 68 years of inactivity, is visible at the entrance of the Montale Gallery.

Cable Car Hours January-February 7:50 AM-6:30 PM March 7:50 AM-7:00 PM April 7:50 AM-7:30 PM May-June 7:50 AM-8:00 PM July-September 8 7:50 AM-1:00 AM September 9-30 7:50 AM-8:00 PM October 7:50 AM-7:00 PM November-December 7:50 AM-6:30 PM

Service every 15 minutes. On weekdays, Monday to Friday, there is an extra run at 8:10 AM, and the departures at 2:15 PM and 6:00 PM are delayed by 5 minutes.

Ticket prices €4.50 per person round trip.

There's no secret that San Marino attracts many tourists looking for cheap shopping more than for historical or architectural delights. San Marino indeed attracts numerous tourists on weekends, especially Italians, in search of a "deal" thanks to the tax regime that benefits the country. There are countless shops and stores of all kinds along the streets where you can find a variety of items.

In the historic part, you'll be struck immediately by the presence of jewelry stores, watches, and freely sold arms, while along the highway leading up, there are stores of every kind. If you're looking for an authentic local souvenir, remember that San Marino has a great tradition in ceramics, lace, glass, wooden and iron items. Among these, the handcrafted crossbows stand out, in which the country has a great tradition.

If you're seeking an expensive memento, don't forget that San Marino is the only country in the euro area that issues legal tender gold coins on its territory, the famous Scudi. San Marino also mints commemorative silver coins of 5 and 10 euros and gold coins of 20 and 50 euros.

Even though it is part of a self-governing state, San Marino is located between Romagna and Marche, one of the Italian regions with a high gastronomic vocation. Among the first courses, fresh pasta (tagliatelle, strozzapreti, ravioli, cappelletti, passatelli) reign supreme, and among the second courses cured meats, cheeses, and meats, mostly from the pastures surrounding the state.

The piadina, honey, and olive oil produced here for millennia are staples of a traditional and savory table. San Marino also has a significant wine tradition defended by the Consorzio Vini Tipici: among the reds stand out Brugneto and Tessano, and among the still whites, Biancale and Roncale. The typical desserts are Torta Tre Monti and Titano, bustrengo, caciatello, ciambella, all accompanied by the sweet wine made from Moscato Oro grapes.

We are between Marche and Romagna, in an area rich in landscapes, villages, and towns of art. Just a few kilometers away, worth a visit are the village of San Leo with its fortress and Montebello with its castle and the legend of Azzurrina.

On the way, you will also encounter Verucchio, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. A bit further away (80km), perched between hill and sea is the village of Mondolfo. The nearest art city is Urbino, the "Ideal City" of the Renaissance, while a bit further away are Ferrara and Bologna.

In the territory of San Marino, there are approximately 40 accommodations, sufficient to welcome tourists who decide to spend a few nights in the state's territory.

Most visitors, in fact, limit themselves to a day trip without staying overnight. The costs of hotels are quite low, thanks to the favorable tax regime compared to Italy. For a 3-star hotel in the historic center, the average cost is 70 euros, while outside the ancient walls, it can be considerably lower. The high season corresponds with that of Italy, so during the spring break, summer, and early fall, it's better to book in advance.