San Marino is another tiny independent country that is surrounded on all sides by Italy.
It is famous of being the oldest republics in the world.
San Marino lies in the slopes of Mount Titano in the Apennine Mountains.
The capital has houses built in the 1300’s that line its winding cobblestone streets. Revenue is brought by tourists who come to watch San Marino’s colorful festivals.
Another important source of income is the sale of San Marino’s postage stamps, which are collected throughout the world.
What are the Best things to do in San Marino?
Here is a rundown of all the exciting activities to do in here, in addition I will show you my favorite things to do and beautiful places to visit on your next holiday to San Marino.
Guaita
To reach San Marino you must navigate through a large and nice green area that is called the “Hinterland of the Riviera”.
Once the car is parked (there are several parking lots), continue walking and when you start to see the first tower (Guaita) you can then proceed to visit the other two towers and the city center with its fantastic monuments and old houses .
The remarkable panoramic view is admired by most of the points within the Citadel.
It has been restored and well preserved and well worth a visit.
On top, there is this breathtaking view and the sense of freedom.
Take a guide from the Tourism Council to learn about the history and origin of the small republic because it is very interesting.
It is way too different from browsing directly from their internet portal.
With an actual tour guide, you get detailed and latest information and tips about the resorts in the Riviera.
Be fascinated by the landscape and the historical part of the tower.
There is a cute souvenir shop that sells small pictures of the country with the current coins being used in the site, all at a good price.
San Marino holds medieval day celebrations every month of July and this is a much anticipated event by the locals and tourists alike.
San Marino is also famous for being a shopping area because of its lower taxes on imported goods.
My favorite stuff to do in San Marino
Monte Titano
It is obligatory to see all the three towers of San Marino.
The Monte Titano is the second of the three towers that also offer a wonderful view.
You can climb to the very top, but need to be careful, as the rise is not too comfortable.
From the top you can make great pictures, but also very windy.
And yet, there is a feeling that you are a princess (for women) locked in a tower sitting and waiting for her prince.
The history of the sovereign state which is located in the territory of Mount Titano Towers goes back to hundred of centuries ago.
On July 7, 2008 San Marino was included in UNESCO World Heritage List, as an important landmark in the development of democratic models in Europe and around the world.
This tower has wonderful views of the mountains in the vicinity and there are plenty of shops with a huge selection of clothes, bags, shoes, glasses and jewelry, many different kinds of delicacies at very low prices, and needs a lot of time to enjoy all these and look at everything.
Tip: dress warmly, because even in the heat the windy breeze is a bit cold, wear comfortable shoes, and of course, a camera.
On the weekend before the holidays many Italians come to shopping for gifts, so it is better on a weekday.
Make unforgettable memories and be sure to visit this historical tower.
Fun things to do in San Marino
Cesta Tower
Built in the 13th century and is located at the top of San Marino – Mount Titano (755m).
The tower is an entertaining museum of ancient weapons.
The city-state of San Marino – a small but proud country with too little main fortress, highlights a separate group of private castles in this region of Europe.
The tower houses this fortress and the tall walls plus a closed courtyard with a built in well in case of a siege.
There is also a preserved prison dungeon and towers to the main survey where it is necessary to climb the rope that is almost in shape and made of wooden stairs.
There is even a kind of mural paintings in the garrison rooms that most resemble the drawings of Pushkin in the fields of “Eugene Onegin”.
At the top of the tower is the scenic panoramic view of the entire state of San Marino and the contiguous territory of Italy in the sea.
Most importantly, just wear comfortable shoes without heels and watch your head, the garrison height level is low and built for smaller people.
Be sure to visit to learn about the culture and history of the people.
Popular San Marino tourist attractions
Piazza della Liberta
The main square or the Piazza della Liberta of San Marino evokes memories of the medieval era that is combined with a breathtaking view.
The atmosphere is special and a must visit in the city.
The square is filled with souvenir shops that carry the traveler to a reality that is sometimes a bit too commercial.
The main historical square of the mini-state of San Marino is a good landmark point to reach the small streets, alleys and other attractions of the city.
In San Marino, they mint their own Euro and it looks different from the usual Euro currency for people who live across Europe.
The locals prove that if you surrender a Euro coinage in San Marino, you can actually save them for good luck.
What else to do in San Marino ?
Palazzo Pubblico
Impressive for such a small country.
Apparently, both the town hall of the city of San Marino and the parliament of the state of San Marino are all located here.
It is beautifully restored, maintained, and provides a wonderful view of the surrounding area.
Towards the end of the 19th Century, these buildings were built on the Freedom Square.
This palace is the exact location where a building from the 16th century once stood.
The facade is enlivened by an arcade with pointed arches, crests, and pinnacles.
On the left side, the bell tower which is crowned with battlements can be seen.
A clock at the bottom and the figures of saints adorn the facade.
The interior can be visited.
The lobby is decorated with weapons and busts.
The upper floor of the council chamber is also adorned with the coats of arms of the castles and where most of the treasured art paintings are proudly exhibited.
The excellent projection of the explanatory video inside the building is very dramatic.
San Marino consists of a timeless charm and this beautiful monument, the seat of the Parliament of the small Republic is definitely an important manifestation of this freedom and tradition.
There are large spaces and definitely a nice rustic indoor setting.
It serves many purposes like;
charming the boardroom, hosting the sessions of parliament, and is also used for civil weddings.
Not to mention the beautiful secret passage leading to the tanks under the Freedom Square and connects the building with the neighboring Parva Domus.
Is San Marino worth visiting?
The answer is Yes.
San Marino is worth visiting.
This is because it is such a magical place
full of beauty and magic.
Don’t forget to visit the following incredible place:
Basilica of the Republic of San Marino
Located a few dozen meters from the Palazzo Pubblico.
It is located in the square Domus Plebis City of San Marino.
It is a building in the neoclassical style and was begun in 1826 and completed in 1838.
The church has a portico with eight Corinthian columns, which can be accessed via a staircase.
The interior has three naves and under the high altar, adorned with the statue of San Marino by a pupil of Canova, which are conserved part of the saint’s relics that was founded in 1586. The Basilica is depicted on the coins of 10 euro cents of San Marino. It is another monument to see in the vista of the beautiful Republic of San Marino.
This church gained its prominence, just as the early Christians sought refuge on Mount Titano to live their faith. The San-Marinenses sought the strength to live their independence and founded the oldest European Republic. The Basilica itself is beautiful, but lacks ostentation.
It is a simple Basilica to gather the faithful and stripped of many golden image or artifacts that most old churches are well-known for. The center has a serene image of the Holy Guard and an intimate atmosphere that invites a moment of contemplation and prayer.
Exploring the simplicity of the church and its importance to the people is mandatory for anyone visiting this beautiful country. Being in San Marino is like getting inside the school history books in the medieval period. It leaves a feeling that you are within a kingdom. Outside this old religious structure, there are many small shops to buy souvenirs and tasteful restaurants.
Must see places in San Marino
State Museum of San Marino
The historic center of San Marino is located on a hill a few kilometers from Rimini. Going through the streets of this village seems to go back in time, fortresses, palaces and houses have retained the old flavor of yesteryear, including museums, restaurants, shops of any kind and when you reach the top of all the towers offers a breathtaking view from the sea inland of Romagna.
Don’t forget to visit the state museum that tells the story of this great Republic because the site has this mystical charm that can take you back to the past, the present and includes the ability of a country to evolve over the centuries.
The one hour visit is worth all the effort and a good way to have a deeper understanding of what San Marino is.
The State Museum of San Marino is a wonderful way of overlooking the city by presenting a whole host of interesting museums, galleries, and exhibitions.
Aside from the museums, everywhere there was the warmth of the people and a generosity that is unparalleled from other European countries you have been to.
The small country is well decorated to mark the points of interest, a good website, good restaurants and hotels in great locations.
It is not complete to see the sights if the San Marino card that offers 50% discount on all visits is not in your pocket.
Otherwise, the admission fees are not excessively high.
Parking spaces are organized at all levels of the city.
What else to see in San Marino ?
IL Mondo di Leonardo
The most interesting part is of course the World of Leonardo (IL Mondo di Leonardo).
To endeavor and to imagine that his intellect had such a high number of inventions leaves every visitor speechless.
However, the show is much smaller than anyone has imagined it to be.
There are interesting touch screens with multimedia illustrations where you could access it.
It is always full of tourists including children and the younger generations.
The exhibition is a must see and offers a variety of original works of Leonardo that you can “touch”.
The Last Supper is proposed as originally a natural fit and through the screens you can reconstruct the history and development of the exhibits.
T
he exhibition is also within the two towers of San Marino, in the State Museum, and Palazzo Pubblico.
The entrance to all venues of the exhibition is included in the ticket and with the ticket it is totally possible to visit the State Museum and the towers, where there is a history museum and a display of antique weapons and armor.
Overall, a visit is recommended to anyone even if they are not an expert on Leonardo.
To avoid paying double for the ticket it is highly advisable to those who want to visit both the exhibition and the beautiful towers of San Marino to start right from the convention center (where 95% of the exhibition of Leonardo da Vinci is shown) and then take advantage of the coupons to get access in the towers.
Popular places to visit in San Marino
Museo de la Tortura
The Museo de la Tortura is worth a visit to realize the many ways how barbarians used to torture people during the Middle Ages.
In addition to the various instruments of torture are also some clear and simple explanations that come with each piece.
The museum can be visited within forty minutes and it is very interesting.
The museum displays many pieces, many of which are original, while others are faithful reproductions.
The tools on display are all explained in great detail thanks to the descriptions displayed next to the windows and the information shared by its resident guide and curator.
The Church of San Francesco
Said to be the oldest church in the city of San Marino.
When you go up the road and aim to the city center from the bus stop of San Marino, the gates to the church can be found.
The church is located on the right side of the narrow alley and anyone who goes up on a vehicle further evades this.
But it is not hard to miss the church so that together with the wall and the towers, this church is another reason to stop, rest for awhile, and pray by all means.
