San Marino
San Marino
Capital city description
The City of San Marino is the capital city of the
Republic of San Marino, Southern Europe. The City of San Marino is the center
of the microstate’s politics, economy, culture, and education. The capital is
abundant with other historic sights. One of the most stunning is the Basilica
di San Marino, which dominates the lively Piazza Domus Plebis. Built in 1836,
the church is a beautiful example of the Neoclassical style. Sixteen Corinthian
columns support three naves, and relics of Saint Marino rest under an altar
adorned by his statue.
The city is visited by more than three million people
per year and has developed progressively as a tourist center. It is home to many top sights in the country, such as Palazzo dei
Capitani, Palazzo Pubblico, Teatro Titano, The Three Towers of San Marino,
Piazza del Titano, Piazza Garibaldi, Monastery of Santa Clara, Grand Hotel San
Marino. It also houses more than a thousand retail outlets, where one can find a great variety of products.
Climate
San Marino has a warm and temperate climate. In the summer, the temperature ranges between 20°C to 30°C. 20°C. San Marino has warm breezy summers and cool crisp winters.
San Marino has a significant amount of rainfall during the year. The temperature averages 13.7 °C (56.7 °F), and the rain is about 919 mm (36.2 inches) per year.
Spring: March to May
Summer: June to August
Autumn: September to November
Winter: December to February
Languages spoken
Italian is the official language of the Republic of San Marino.
Fun/Fascinating Facts
- San Marino has one of the world's oldest postal services. San Marino's postal system dates back to 1607, when a paid postal service opened to residents. The first postage stamps in the Republic appeared in 1877.
- San Marino is the world's fifth smallest country and the third smallest in Europe after the Vatican and Monaco.
- San Marino cuisine has elements of Italian cuisine; similar to the cuisine of Emilia-Romagna and Marche regions, the most authentic dish of San Marino cuisine is chocolate cakes produced in the Three Towers of San Marino.
- San Marino is the only country with more cars than people.
- San Marino is one of the oldest surviving sovereign states and constitutional Republic, founded on September 3, 301 AD by stonecutter Marinus of Arbe.
Unique Customs/Traditions
- In San Marino, cheese is an integral part of the diet, and cheesemaking is an essential economic activity. A wide variety of meats are also consumed. Bacon soup and bean, a baked pasta dish with smoked meat, a plate of garlic and rosemary flavored noodles, and chickpea soup are famous cuisine dishes. Flatbread with various fillings called piada is also eaten. Many other delicious desserts are part of the country’s cuisine. The Cake of the Three Towers and the Torta Titano is the hallmark desserts of the country. The traditional Sammarinese Christmas cake is called Bustrengo.
- Sammarinese women and men enjoy equal rights and freedoms in San Marino. The country’s women received the right to vote and hold office in 1960 and 1973. However, some gender-based differences can still be seen in education and employment, where men have made more extraordinary advances than women.
Popular universities
| Name | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| University of San Marino | The University of San Marino is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the large town of San Marino, established in 1985. It offers undergraduate programs in Design, Civil Engineering, Management Engineering, and Communication and Digital Media. The university also provides several postgraduate courses. | |
Festivals & Events
Investiture of the New Captains Regents
Date: 1st April and 1st October
Investiture of the New Captains Regents is an essential public holiday that usually takes place in April and October every year at the Piazza Della Liberta, outside the Government Palace. It celebrates the installation of the Heads of State and follows a stringent but intriguing protocol.
Known as the Captain's Regent, two people are elected by the Grand and General Council every six months, the country's legislative body.
Adriatic Music Festival
Date: July
The Adriatic Music Festival is one of the biggest music festivals held in July, attracting thousands of tourists and musicians from across the globe. It is a summer chamber music festival for strings, piano, voice, and composition.
Many of the performances throughout the several-day event take place in the public squares and pedestrian streets of San Marino City.
Medieval Days festival
Date: July
The Medieval Days festival is held at the end of July in San Marino during summer. The local citizens, especially shop owners in the historic old town, dress up in elegant medieval costumes.
San Marino Medieval Day Festival is loaded with exciting ancient events, energetic live shows, and performances. The most famous event is the crossbow competition held in the main square.
San Marino Jazz Festival
Date: July
San Marino Jazz Festival is held over three days in July; this grand festival draws in many world-famous jazz artists and jazz bands. The festival is usually taking place in the city of Borgo Maggiore. There are jazz performers all over the city show for the locals and tourists who flock to town.
The local pubs and bars are all turned into stages for the various performers. Take some time and wander through the downtown streets listening to the music and just taking in the party atmosphere.
San Marino Day
Date: 3rd September
San Marino celebrates a significant event in the country, San Marino Day; on September 3 each year, the republic celebrates the founding of the San Marino Republic hundreds of years ago.
The event hosts multiple activities to experience and witness on this day, including crossbow events, flag-waving competitions, and a beautiful concert by the military. The fireworks display is simply outstanding, attracting the attention of locals and visitors alike.
Attractions / Top Sights
Fortress of Guaita
When to visit: September to November
Fortress of Guaita is the oldest of one of three peaks constructed on Monte Titano, the most famous attraction located in the tiny Republic of San Marino, a landlocked country on the Apennine Peninsula. It was built in the 11th century and served briefly as a prison.
The Guaita consists of the central fortress tower and two rings of walls. The outer ring ornamented with battlements is the original defense wall.
Roman Catholic Basilica of San Marino
When to visit: May to September
Built in 1836, the Roman Catholic Basilica of San Marino is one of the most significant tourist attractions in the republic. The basilica has been constructed in a neoclassical architectural style, with Corinthian columns upon the porch.
A statue of St. Marino beautifies the altar; under the altar are relics of St. Marino, which were found on 3 March 1586; some relics were donated to the island of Rab (Croatia)
Palazzo Pubblico
When to visit: May to September
The Palazzo Pubblico is the town hall f the City of San Marino and its official Government Building. The building, where official State ceremonies occur, is the seat of the Republic's primary institutional and administrative bodies: the Captains Regent, the Grand and General Council, the Council of XII, and the Congress of State.
The overall design is comparable to the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence but on a much smaller scale. The facade is stunningly decorated with coats-of-arms of the Republic and its four municipalities, and inside, a staircase leads to the Council Hall on the top floor.
Muse di Stato ( State Museum)
When to visit: May to September
Established in the 19th century, the State Museum, locally known as Muse di Stato, is an integral part of the country’s tourism industry. This outstanding museum in the historic Palazzo Pergami Belluzzi exhibits archaeological collections beginning with Neolithic Age artifacts and later Etruscan and Roman find.
The museum displays excellent archeological finds from the San Marino Middle Ages period, various extraordinary paintings, ancient coins, donated archeological finds from Egypt, and different art pieces from Italy.
Medieval Old Town San Marino
When to visit: May to September
The Medieval Old Town San Marino is one of the stunning places to visit in the country. The well-preserved ancient center of San Marino shows a beautiful colorful forest to enjoy beautiful views of the city. Its narrow streets provide a walk down memory lane.
Tourists can explore many shops and buildings without worrying about vehicles. Getting to the ancient walled city is achievable via the aerial cable car.
Museo Delle Curiosità
When to visit: May to September
Museo Delle Curiosità displays mostly the unique collection of about 100 objects are 60-centimeter-tall wooden clogs designed to wear during Venice's high waters, the world's longest fingernails, a 1700s German mousetrap, a trap for fleas, a 17th-century hand-pumped shower, a "nose watch" that works by creating smoke of different scents each hour, and silver covers to protect the long fingernails of Chinese Mandarins.
There are also exhibits about unusual people: the world's tallest recorded man and its shortest woman. The displays are well labeled to provide fascinating glimpses into history. Museo delle curiosità
St Francis Museum
When to visit: May to September
The St Francis Museum is an exciting attraction for art lovers. Constructed in the 14th century, the museum is a part of the Franciscan Monastery and houses some of the fascinating artistic pieces in the country. Paintings are the most prominent feature of this venue.
The museum is also home to several sculptures and professional photography pieces. Emilio Ambron’s most notable works are located in two annexed halls.
Maranello Rosso Ferrari Museum
When to visit: May to September
Maranello Rosso Ferrari Museum is a vintage car museum at the foot of Mount Titano that exhibits a stunning collection of automobiles relating to the history, life, and cars of Enzo Ferrari and Carlo Abarth.
It houses many unique sports cars, Formula 1, and cars belonging to famous people, including the first Ferrari Spyder designed by Pininfarina and owned by Marilyn Monroe. Among the 25 Ferrari cars dating from 1951 to the present is the most famous of all, the 250 GTO Red that won three World Championships.