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Republic of San Marino
There's something about San Marino.
Whether it's the long winding road up the mountain side past the tax free megastore or the pristine streets and perfectly restored medieval buildings selling trinkets, the world's oldest republic is highly individual.
San Marino has a fabulous rich history.
And it is perhaps not best represented by the Museum of Curiosity (most tattooed man in the world, sandals of a Greek lady of the night), reptile aquarium and highly entertaining Museum of Torture.
Legend states that Mount Titano was used by the 'gigantics' or Titans to reach the sky and defeat Jupiter although more mortal records suggest it was founded by a Christian mason called Marino from Croatia.
He arrived in Rimini on the coast and took over the city following its destruction by barbarians.
The key event in the city's history was the forming of a 'plebis' and the subsequent 'municipality' by the 13th century.
This allowed separation from the charge of the bishop of Montefeltro and independence.
The Republic was guaranteed by 1740 when internal politics within the catholic church persuaded Pope Clemente XII to dispatch an envoy to weaken the power base of Cardinal Alberoni of Romagna.
We suggest the best time to visit San Marino is in the middle of winter when snow lines the streets and the countryside.
The city reclaims some of its old atmosphere and the walks in the hinterland below the 'centro storico' are fantastic.
Do visit Acquaviva, where St. Marinus baptised his first neophytes, and Cailungo where the oratorio of S.Rocco was built following the Plague outbreaks (1480, 1549, 1630 and 1656).
Museum of Emigration and Medieval Days in San Marino. |
