Summary
Who has heard of San Marino? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. We hadn’t heard of it either. Initially, we thought that San Marino was a town in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy, but we soon discovered that it is its own nation and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The charm of San Marino truly deserves this esteemed title.
About San Marino
San Marino is considered one of the wealthiest countries in the world per capita.
With approximately 30,000 citizens residing in its small area of 61 square kilometers, this nation thrives in tourism, industry, and finance.
In 301 AD, a monk from Rab, Croatia, named Marinus of Arba came to this mountainous region with his friend Leo to escape persecution. Marinus, through performed miracles, built a church and developed a community.
San Marino boasts the world’s oldest surviving sovereign state with a constitution dating back to the 17th century.
Where is San Marino?
San Marino is a small, sovereign nation entirely surrounded by Italy, bordered by the stunning Italian Apennines on one side and the captivating Adriatic coast on the other, offering breathtaking views.
After visiting the Italian Apennines, we concluded that these hills exude much more charm than Tuscany, showcasing equal beauty.
A local quipped to us, “We don’t call it Toscana anymore; the English have taken it over so much, even the Italians call it Tuscany!” If you’re seeking the true essence of Italy, the Apennines are an excellent destination. We cherished our time there.
The views from San Marino are truly remarkable.
The Views from San Marino
Unfortunately, when we arrived in San Marino, it was enveloped in clouds and heavy rain. Although we knew the views were spectacular, they were temporarily obscured.
Fortuitously, our two-day stay allowed us to witness an awe-inspiring sunset that made our visit unforgettable. Everyone in our group concurred that San Marino has some of the most stunning views from any city worldwide.
Situated atop rolling hills at an elevation of 700 meters on Mount Titano, San Marino offers panoramic vistas that stretch for miles. Each time we gazed from the city walls, we were mesmerized by the sheer beauty.
San Marino Passport Stamp
Renowned for its duty-free shopping, we noticed numerous visitors leaving with designer handbags and jewelry. Excitedly, we made our way to the Tourist Office to have our passports stamped. There’s a special thrill in receiving an unanticipated passport stamp.
Just a few days earlier, we were unaware that San Marino was its own nation, and to experience its allure was truly exhilarating.
During a rainy afternoon, we strolled through the narrow vehicle-free streets, umbrellas in hand, admiring the quaint shop windows.
San Marino Castle
We took the opportunity to tour the castle, which now serves as government buildings, learning about San Marino’s history and foundation. Understanding their government structure was incredibly engaging.
This nation takes great pride in being a symbol of peace and freedom.
San Marino Government – Two Heads of State
Interestingly, San Marino operates with two Heads of State, known as Captains. These officials are elected or re-elected every six months, and citizens have the power to file complaints against them for unsatisfactory performance.
It makes one think, wouldn’t it be wonderful to have such accountability in our own governments?
How to Get to San Marino
- Access San Marino by bus from Rimini.
- Trenitalia offers regular train services to Rimini, where you can transfer to a local bus heading to San Marino.
- If you prefer driving, park your vehicle in Borgo Maggiore and ride the cable car up to San Marino—this ride provides stunning views.
- For detailed information, visit Visit San Marino.com.
This article is part of a BlogVille campaign, managed and created by iAmbassador, in collaboration with the Emilia-Romagna tourism board. iBestTravel retains complete autonomy over the content we produce.
