San Marino undoubtedly looks like it came out of a fairy tale and that’s why I start with one:

Legend has it that the stonemason Marino came from the Dalmatian island of Rab to take part in the construction of new stone walls on Rimini. But when Emperor Diocletian ordered persecutions against Christians, Marino hid in Mount Titan. There he founded a small community, and subsequently received the lands around Mount Titan as a gift from Dona Felicissima in gratitude for the healing of her son. On September 3, 301. legend has it that before he died, Marino’s last words were: “Relinquo vos liberos ab utroque homine” or “I leave you free from the two men”, referring to the emperor and the pope.

This is how the country of San Marino arose – the “Land of Freedom”. This is still written today in capital letters at the entrance of the third smallest country in Europe, after the Vatican and Monaco.

San Marino is considered the oldest still existing state, founded in 301. and with the oldest constitution in the world, adopted in the 16th century (written in 6 books), which is still in force.

The “land of freedom” proudly rises above the Adriatic coast and although it occupies an area of only 61 square meters, this country has the lowest unemployment in Europe, has no public debt and has a permanent budget surplus. The country is visited by 3 million people a year, who come to enjoy the local cuisine, see ancient castles and museums, and most of all shop at the duty-free shops.

The air of freedom fills the chest of visitors, most of whom repeat and repeat their visits.

On my second visit, I took my children with me, showing them the beautiful landscape on the mountain side and the picturesque buildings maintained to the smallest detail. The steep relief of San Marino quickly tired the children and filled their chests with an air of freedom. The local ice cream and soft drinks quickly recovered their strength, but they were once again out of breath looking at the castle on the opposite hill and charting a path to it.

In fact, San Marino has three towers, symbols of the country, called bastions in defense of freedom. Only two of them are open to the public. The first tower was named Guaita and was built directly on the stone of the mountain without any foundations. It dates back to the 11th century and is among the oldest fortresses in Italy.

The second tower, Fratta, rises on the second and highest peak of Titan, at 756 meters above sea level, and is also called the Castle of Chesta or Fratta. It was built at the end of the 11th century, also in a pentagonal shape.

The third tower, Montale, dates back to the late 13th century. It is the smallest in size, but has the best position for observation. However, it is not open to the public, and visitors can only admire it from the outside.

In addition to the towers, while in San Marino it is worth visiting the Palazzo Pubblico Palace (where regents are elected every  6  months) and the Basilica of the Saint, where the relics of Saint Marino,  the patron saint and founder of the San Marino community, are kept. Keep in mind that the old part of the city is steep like the Bulgarian Tsarevets in Veliko Tarnovo, the streets are paved and it is advisable to wear comfortable shoes.

The strong sun, which seems to reach the peaks of the country, invites you to wear hats, as well as to enter more frequently into the many air-conditioned shops perched on both sides of the pedestrian streets.

San Marino looks like it came out of a fairy tale, making every visitor feel like the main character in it and everyone leaves with wonderful memories and purchases, living happily ever after.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT SAN MARINO:

Location: San Marino is located in Southern Europe, in the northeastern part of the Apennine Peninsula, completely surrounded by Italy.
Area: 61.2 sq. m.km
Population: 33,600 people
Official language: Italian
Altitude: 749 m
Climate: humid subtropical climate
Time zone: UTC+1
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Additional information: www.sanmarinosite.com/en/

TRIP TIPS FOR SAN MARINO:

Best time to visit: April to October, when the country enjoys plenty of sunshine and less rainfall.
How to get here: San Marino does not have an airport, the closest one is in Rimini. The same applies to trains – the nearest station is in Rimini. The easiest way to get to the country is by car or bus. Bus Bonelli 72 connects Rimini with San Marino daily, departing from the back of the train station.
Typical food and drink: Despite its small size, San Marino is proud of its vineyards, and so with its wines and cheeses, using the motto: “so small, but so unique”. While you are in San Marino, try  the iconic Torta Tre Monti cake or “Cake of the Three Towers”, which is a unique mixture of wafer layers covered with dark chocolate and hazelnut cream.
Places to visit: The Palace, Two of the Three Towers, the National Museum,  the Museum of Ancient Weapons, the National Gallery,  the Museum of Stamps and Coins, etc. For 5 euros, you can get a stamp in your passport at the Tourist Information Center.