The San Marino tourist office will be present for the first time at the IFTM Top Résa show to meet travel agents. Come discover the hidden treasures of this little-known destination in France, and taste the famous ‘Torta Tre Monti’ cake.
San Marino, San Marino in French, is the oldest republic in the world. A stone’s throw from Rimini and the Adriatic Sea, San Marino deserves to be known and promises many surprises to those who take the time to discover it, far from mass tourism. Perched on its rock of Mount Titano, San Marino is worth the detour.
You must take the road which leads to this small country built on the side of mountains at an altitude of more than 755 m, with the plain and the sea below. A true natural paradise, the half-Renaissance, half-medieval heritage bears witness to a rich past. The panoramas are breathtaking and give us the feeling of being on top of the world.
Five reasons to visit San Marino
1. A unique story, an open-air museum, with a UNESCO World Heritage site. The historic centers of San Marino, Borgo Maggiore and Mount Titano are listed as world heritage sites due to their authenticity and unchanged identity over the centuries. Thanks to its position at the top of Mount Titano, the city has not been affected by the urban transformations that have taken place since the advent of the industrial era until the present day.
- The Palazzo Pubblico: This Renaissance building in neo-Gothic style (1894) bears witness to the rich history of the country, thanks to the various works decorating the rooms of the palace, including the splendid Council Room where the government now sits. o The Tre Torri (the three Towers) Guaita, Cesta and Montale: Built between the 11th and 14th centuries, this medieval ensemble constitutes a real treasure due to its architecture and its location on the mountainside.
- The Basilica of San Marino: Built at the beginning of the 19th century in neoclassical style on the foundations of the pre-existing Romanesque church. o National Gallery of San Marino The National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art of San Marino is located in the Logge dei Volontari (Volunteer Lodges), a magnificent building constructed in the late 1930s.
2. Unexpected places
- Passo delle Streghe (Witches’ Path): Located between the two towers Guaita and Cesta, the charming Passo delle Streghe gives the impression of a Chinese wall, and offers astonishing and splendid views of the Adriatic coast.
- Cava dei Balestrieri (Carriage of the Crossbowmen): Opened and used during the 19th century for the extraction of stone necessary for the reconstruction of the Public Palace, this quarry is today used as a training site for crossbowmen of the Federation of Crossbowmen of San Marino, venue for numerous crossbow tournaments at national and international level, and also hosts events (concerts, exhibitions or summer festivals)
- Changing of the Guard: The artillery of the Guardia di Rocca is on duty at the Public Palace where the changing of the guard ceremony takes place every day during the summer. Even though San Marino is a neutral state and home to one of the smallest military forces in the world, the soldiers are the pride of its inhabitants and ensure the folklore of the city.
- The cable car: Inaugurated in 1959, it takes you to the heart of the capital, connecting Borgo Maggiore and the old town of San Marino in less than 2 minutes over a difference in altitude of more than 200 meters. The views are breathtaking.
3. Nature destination: sport and tourism
San Marino is a green setting and perched on Mount Titano. A true paradise for lovers of nature and outdoor holidays, the destination allows you to recharge your batteries by gaining height, with breathtaking panoramas, from the top of the 739m rocky peak. More than 61 km² to discover along the trails which are accessible on foot or by bike, and allow you to observe the local fauna and flora. The setting is set between rocky landscapes, meadows, scrubland and forests, San Marino offers a wide variety of landscapes and a wide range of outdoor activities for experienced hikers or day visitors. On the program: Trekking, cycling, climbing, swimming…
4. Know-how: a philosophy. Here, we take the time to shape our work, to check every detail.
Whether it’s pottery, jewelry or summer tunics, manual work is a way of life here. Emotions here take the form of ancient objects to covet, to buy and to preserve such as: rare stamps, precious coins from the Republic of San Marino (at the National Philatelic and Numismatic Office) and traditional pottery. Here, we have always taken the time to value the basic principles, and to respect the rhythm of nature, local agriculture is a good example. These traditions are also reflected on the plate.
5. Gastronomy: a thousand and one flavors
The culinary traditions of San Marino are those of Romagna, with some contributions from the Marche region, as close links have always existed with Montefeltro. The Republic of San Marino prides itself on centuries-old and authentic agricultural and gastronomic traditions, jealously preserved by a quality label and today promoted by the “Consorzio Terra di San Marino”. Authentic flavors, healthy cuisine that combines tradition and quality to keep our country’s immense rural heritage alive and satisfy the most demanding gourmets. The know-how is also found on the plate with the traditional San Marino pasta called strozzapreti, piadina, a typical pancake of the region or even bustrengo, a typical rice-based dessert. The local beer Birrificio Abusivo is also very popular with visitors. Among the local products, we also find ‘Cantina di San Marino’ wines, extra-virgin olive oil, cheeses, meats, milk and honey.
Did you know ? On the map
- Located 20km from the seaside resort of Rimini and 130km from Bologna, San Marino dominates the Adriatic coast from the Italian region of Emilia Romagna. With 39 km of borders near the Apennines, and its 61 km2, it is the third smallest independent state in Europe by area, after the Vatican and Monaco. A little history
- If the constitution only dates from October 8, 1600, legend has it that the Republic of San Marino was founded in 301 by Marino, a former stonemason from the Island of Rab in Dalmatia. He thus created a community of Christians on Mount Titano (Titan) to escape the persecution of the Emperor Diocletian.
- San Marino and Mount Titano thus constitute an exceptional testimony to the establishment of a representative democracy based on civic autonomy and self-government, having exercised the continuous role of capital of an independent republic since the 13th century.
- The republic has been led by two Captain-Regents since 1243 who are heads of state and president of the State Congress, elected for a 6-month term by the Grand and General Council (Parliament). The inauguration ceremony takes place on April 1 and October 1). o Homage to Napoleon Bonaparte in San Marino: Napoleon offered in 1797 the extension of the territory to the sea, as gifts as a testimony of friendship towards the Republic of San Marino. The inhabitants of San Marino were grateful for this honor but refused territorial expansion “satisfied with their borders”.
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