Sightseeing San Marino - 9 most interesting places

The history of one of the smallest states, which is San Marino, has more than one thousand seven hundred years. It is located on Mount Titano and has attracted thousands of tourists for many years due to the abundance of architectural monuments, historical sites and shops with affordable prices. As for the last point, then, indeed, this republic belongs to a free trade zone, so the abundance of shops and buyers also has a positive effect on the country's economy. You can get there from the closest Italian city of Rimini. The journey of twenty-five kilometers can be done by bus or by renting a car. Borders are poorly guarded, so you can cross them without being noticed. we will tell you about the most interesting sights of San Marino.

History

There is a legend according to which in 301 the exemplary Christian Marino, hiding from the pagans, took refuge on Mount Titano. Thanks to his wisdom and justice, he acquired the glory of a Holy Man, to whom other representatives of this religion began to come. Many remained to live here, and soon formed a Christian community, choosing Marino as a deacon, for which the bishop of Rimini was approved. Donna Felicissima, who owned these lands, was imbued with sympathy for these people and gave them a rock. But the moment of foundation of the free and proud Republic of San Marino is considered to be 855, when it received the official status of an independent state.

Constant numerous raids were the basis for the construction of fortress walls. For many years, the inhabitants of the republic fought back not only the military units, but also the Italian church led by the Pope. However, in 1461, an attack by the then Malates family in Rimini put an end to these disagreements. The rulers of San Marino concluded an agreement to create an alliance with the great Roman church, which helped them win the war against the invaders and annex their possessions. This was the only and last territorial change in the borders of the republic.

Since then, all attempts to conquer this free people and seize their lands have failed. Residents also supported Italian independence by volunteering during the 1915-1918 war. During World War II, the state remained neutral and provided refuge to refugees from a neighboring country. An interesting fact was that the defensive walls of San Marino, having withstood numerous attacks from enemies, suffered the most from the inhabitants of the country themselves, who began to dismantle them to build their homes. Fortunately, wise rulers realized in time that tourism in their state could be made the main source of income, and they prohibited the destruction of historical monuments.

However, by that time, most of the fortification walls had already been dismantled, and at the moment you can see only a fragment of the first belt, which is a wall connecting the tower called Torrione and the two gates of San Francesco and della Rupe. The section of the second belt between the Fratta tower and the Kava Antica site, as well as the wall between the Montale and Fratta fortresses, which were previously part of the third belt, were also restored.

The territory of the entire state is divided into nine regions, but tourists are invited to start their tour from the city of San Marino, which is considered the main historical center and the capital of the republic. In terms of the number of attractions, San Marino, perhaps, comes out on top in the world. A three-hour city tour can be booked for $ 50. During this time, you can see the three Liberty Towers, connected by galleries, from which you can see not only the Padan Plain and the Apennine Mountains, but even Venice. The price includes a visit to the Museum of Weapons and the Ferrari Museum. The rest of the time you can walk along the small streets of the capital, accompanied by a guide telling about the history of this region. Acquaintance with the sights of San Marino begins from the first steps, that is, from the gate of San Francesco, on which an inscription has been preserved warning travelers about the prohibition of carrying weapons with them.

Towers of san marino

The main historical monuments of the capital are the towers of the city fortress. These include:

• Guaita
• La Chesta
• Montale

The oldest is Guaita, built in the sixth century and serving as an observation post. This structure is located on a rock, as a result of which it has no foundation. As other fortresses were built, its functional purpose changed, and Guaita became a local prison. Now it houses the Museum of the Guards and the Artillery Museum.

The next Chesta tower appeared already in the fourteenth century and also served as an excellent protection for observers. In 1956, it was restored and is now used as a museum of weapons, which contains more than seven hundred copies. Montale, the next tower, was built in the fourteenth century. At the moment, entry into it is prohibited.

Basilica of San Marino

Built at the beginning of the 19th century on the site of an ancient church. Decorated with masterpieces of painting and sculpture, the basilica dates back to the 4th century. The construction of the new church took 12 years under the guidance of a visiting architect from Bologna. The main altar, under which the relics of Saint Mariino, the founder of the state, rest, is crowned with a marble statue, and Corinthian columns add special solemnity to the basilica hall.

The temple is made in neoclassical style and consists of three naves with seven altars located in their semicircles. All solemn state and religious events take place here. The main temple of the country serves as a venue for concerts and performances, in particular, the Autumn Music Festival is held here every year. Address: Domus Plebis square near Palazzo Publiko. Services are held on weekends from 11:00.

Gallery of contemporary art

Situated in a medieval city, among the fortress walls and towers on the mountainside, the modern art museum keeps the exposition of the new time. A collection of new art has settled in the San Marino Gallery since 1956. The first exhibition was marked by the appearance of the Italian master Renato Guttuso and the exhibition of 500 works of art. Since then, the gallery has exhibited works of Italian and foreign art of the 20th century and fresh works of various artistic trends, divided into sections. Here are the halls of photography, watercolor and oil painting, graphics and sculpture.

The works of young contemporary masters of painting and photography are housed in the former Church of St. Anne, where annual exhibitions are held. The hall of modern photography is famous for world names and works of unrecognized amateur geniuses. The gallery attracts both curious visitors and connoisseurs of contemporary art.

Address: Via Eguippo. Opening hours: from January to June: from 9 to 17, from June to mid-September: from 8 to 20, September 14 to January from 9 to 17. Cost of admission: 3 euros.

State Museum of San Marino

Five thousand historical, archaeological and artistic artifacts are kept in this museum on four floors of a building that opened with donations from citizens in the late 19th century. The museum got its autonomy in 1982, when it was moved to the existing building of the Palazzo in the main square of the country. A rich collection of archaeological research covers the period from the Neolithic to the Middle Ages.Here you can see donation finds from ancient civilizations: Etruscans, Egyptians, Romans, among which household items and jewelry are of the greatest interest. The numismatics department introduces ancient medals and coins, and the art section is famous for the works of the sculptor Stefano Galletti, 17th century painters Pompeo Batoni and Elizabeth Sirani, icons.

Address: pl. Titano, Palace of Pergami-Beluzzi. Working hours: from January to June from 9 to 17, June 8 - September 13 from 8 to 20, from September 14 to January from 9 to 17. Cost of admission: 3 euros.

Monte Titano in San Marino

The limestone mountain, on which the founder and Saint Marino found refuge, is the most striking landmark of the most ancient European state. It has three peaks, on which three majestic fortress towers rise: Prima Torre (Guaita), Cesta and Montale, and forms the historic center of the city. The most representative and oldest of them - Guaita appeared here in the 11th century. The main tower is an impregnable bastion. It hangs over a dizzying precipice and is fortified with two rows of walls.

The stone castle was home to the first inhabitants of San Marino. A long period in the history of its walls was chosen by the prison. Here are kept weapons donated by the Italian kings, which are loaded with blank charges, announcing national celebrations. The tower today is a popular tourist attraction, as it offers a stunning panorama of the city and its surroundings, it still looks menacing. The fortress contains a small collection of paintings dedicated to the problems of modern society.

Cesta was built somewhat later and dates from the first half of the 13th century. The second tower has undergone repeated restoration. The castle stands at the highest point of Mount Titano and is famous for its collection of cold and small arms, numbering 500 items. Every year San Marino hosts a medieval festival that allows residents to travel back in time. The third fortress - Montale - dates back to the 13th century, just like the second. The watchtower is pentagonal in shape and provides excellent observation opportunities, but the entrance is limited. You can admire the fortress only from the outside. All three towers are linked by a network of roads among winding hills.

Museum of torture guns in San Marino

The museum presents to the attention of fearless visitors the methods of struggle and tools of medieval inquisitors against dissidents. After seeing the 100-piece display of horror, it is impossible to imagine that violence was "commonplace" in the Middle Ages. An iron maiden, a chair with spikes, steel "cat claws", knee crushers, a Spanish boot are not a complete list of tools that were used to kill a person, cruel torture and inflict unbearable pain.

Among the exhibits, an impressive part is occupied by devices for women, who were punished by male inquisitors for any offense. Each exhibit is accompanied by a plate with a detailed description of the use of the weapon or a photograph for a real representation of its action. The objects were reconstructed from images and descriptions in the 19-20th centuries, some of them have survived from the 15-16th centuries. The museum regularly holds thematic exhibitions telling about the activities of the Inquisition in different regions.

Address: Porta San Francesco. Cost of admission: for adults - 8 euros, for children from 4 to 10 years old - 6 euros. Working hours: January-February from 10-18, March-December from 10-19, August from 10-20.

Maranello-Rosso collection

The collection is dedicated to the cars of the Italian Ferrari brand and the racing structures created by Karl Abarth and consists of two museum sites. The first presents 250 samples of the best cars in Italy, one of which belonged to Marilyn Monroe, introduces the stages of production and the evolution of technology. The second hall contains 40 production copies of the Scorpion sports and racing cars from Abarth and is dedicated to the biography of the designer. An exclusive offer of the Ferrari Museum is to order a test drive.

Address: Strada dei Sensiti, 21. Opening hours: 10: 00-13: 00 and 14: 00-18: 00, sat. and Sunday by agreement <. The cost of visiting museums: 12 euros for the Ferrari Museum and 12 euros for the Abarth Museum.

Museum of curiosities

This museum is famous for its huge collection of non-standard items brought from different places on the planet and belonging to different time periods. Museum exhibits will interest both adults and children. In the halls, divided by theme, you can see the real life stories of people, in the existence of which it is almost impossible to believe if these data were not confirmed by the Guinness Book. Here, there is the fattest and tallest representative of the earthly race in the world, you can measure a wasp waist in the literal sense of the word, with a model girl and the size of a dwarf woman, enjoy the old hairstyles of fashionistas. The zoological sector will introduce you to a giant crayfish and an ancient bird egg, 80 cm high

Address: Salita ala Rossa, 26. Cost of visiting the museum: adults - 7 euros, children - 4 euros

Opening hours: daily from 10:00 to 18:00, except July and August: from 9 to 20 (depending on the season, opening hours may vary)

In San Marino, GuruTurizma recommends the following hotels:

Attractions of San Marino on the map