San Marino - a city-state in Italy: how to get, attractions, shopping

Not everyone knows that in Italy there is not one "state in a state", but two. In addition to the Vatican, another dwarf state, surrounded on all sides by Italy, is San Marino. Its area is only 61 square meters. km This, by comparison, is slightly more than 20 times smaller than Rome, but even with such a modest size, the state of San Marino includes as many as nine commune cities, and almost every one of them has something to see for a sophisticated traveler. With only the days of the Middle Ages in San Marino, Italy attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year.

How to get to San Marino

San Marino does not have its own airport, so it will be most convenient to get here from Rimini Airport. It is 25 km from San Marino. Other nearby air harbors are Forlì (72 km), Falcone (130 km), Bologna (135 km). Find suitable airline tickets in the form below.

In San Marino from Rimini buses go 6-8 times a day. Serve buses to the parking lot in Piazzale Calcigni. If you decide to get your own car, you will need to go along the SS72. San Marino has no railway connection with Italy.

If you want to see the sights of San Marino one day and get the most interesting information, you will be better off visiting the state as part of the tour.

The whole country of San Marino can be seen entirely from Mount Monte Titano

Getting here is also easy if you rent a car or order a transfer. In Rimini and in the capital of San Marino, there are several car rentals at once, however we recommend using the reservation on the Rentalcars service, which compares prices at different car rentals and allows you to choose the most profitable options. To rent a car you will need a credit card and an international driver’s license.

Hotels in the capital of San Marino

The most luxurious hotel in San Marino in Italy is the Grand Hotel. Even its very location speaks volumes - it is located on Mount Monte Titano just a couple of minutes from the historical center of the capital.

The Grand Hotel offers a beautiful view of the city and surroundings

More affordable accommodation options are available at the San Marino Vacation Center. Here you can relatively inexpensively stay in a separate house or furnished bungalow.

There are campsites in San Marino with free parking. Not far from the Olympic Stadium is Camping Service Serravalle, others are the Service area in Borgo Maggiore near the cable car and Service area in Ca Martino near the parking lot on the road leading to Gualdicciolo.

You can get more detailed information on the hotels at the link below.

Attractions San Marino

The main part of interesting places that you should definitely see during a trip to the dwarf state of San Marino in Italy is concentrated in the commune of the same name - the capital of San Marino. However, outside it there are also quite a lot of interesting sights, and the area itself is very picturesque.

Basilica of San Marino

The cathedral of the capital of San Marino is the basilica of San Marino (or, as it is also called, the Basilica del Sante). She bears the name of St. Marina, the patron saint of freedom. The history of this neoclassical building goes back as much as 17 centuries, when the first St. Marina church was built on this site. The modern building began to be built in the 20s of the XIX century., Work continued for 12 years.

Cathedral of San Marino

"Sight in sights" is considered the regency throne of the XVII century. - the most striking object of the interior of the church, which is located to the left of the main altar.

Palazzo Publico Palace

Another iconic landmark of San Marino is the Palazzo Publico. Currently, the palace serves as the city hall of the capital of San Marino. From the very moment of construction, at the end of the 14th century, it was the center of the political life of the state. In the XIX century. the palazzo was rebuilt according to the design of Francesco Azzurri, and after another hundred years the building was decided to be restored for security reasons.

Now Congress is meeting in the Palazzo Publico, official state ceremonies are being held.

Palazzo Publico is currently hosting a congress

Gallery of Modern Art

The history of the Gallery begins in 1956, when the Biennale season was first opened in San Marino. In the first exposition, visitors, which turned out to be over 100 thousand people, saw paintings by 500 artists. The experience of the first and second biennale turned out to be so successful that it was decided to make the exhibition permanent, while exhibiting works by only the most famous authors.

Gallery of Modern Art in San Marino

Already in the XXI century. The San Marino Contemporary Art Gallery in Italy has nevertheless softened the conditions for participation to enable novice local authors to show their creations to the general public.

State Museum

Another place where you can touch the deep history of San Marino is the State Museum. Until 2001, the museum’s exposition was located in the Palazzo Walloni, then it was moved to the Palazzo Pergami-Beluzzi - a medieval building in the historical center of the capital.

Most of the artifacts are archaeological finds dating from a long period from the Neolithic to the Middle Ages. It is here that you can see the golden stallion from the Treasury of Domagnano and the famous bronze statues of Tanaccia.

Museum of Torture

No less interesting for tourists in the capital of San Marino is a frightening attraction - the Museum of Torture Tools. Here you can see the most terrible of the era of the Middle Ages - the guillotine, the church, the exhaust bench and even the chair of the inquisitor himself.

Gamers in the Middle Ages were marked with such a necklace to cause public shame

Some of the artifacts are reconstructions created in the XIX-XX centuries. The other part is the originals from the XVI-XVII centuries. Each torture weapon is accompanied by detailed explanations of why and how it was used. With a rich imagination, thrills are guaranteed!

Mount Monte Titano

One of the symbols and main attractions of San Marino - Mount Monte Titano - is located in the eastern part of the eponymous commune. It is also the highest geographical point of the country - 750 m above sea level. From its top you can see the whole country.

Monte Titano mountain is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

There is a legend, quite plausible, that the formation of the state of San Marino in Italy is connected with this mountain. Many centuries ago, a small monastery was built on the mountain, which was subsequently "overgrown" with fortifications - the walls and three towers of San Marino, which later became famous.

Three towers of San Marino

Bright and picturesque landmark of the state - Three towers, which even have names - Chest, Guaita and Montale. They are honored to attend the emblem of the country. Above all, is the Chest tower, built in the XIII century. Since 1956, a museum of ancient weapons has been operating here.

The Chest Tower is at the highest point of the republic

Two centuries earlier, the tower of Guaita was built, which in those days was used as a prison. The third tower - Montale - was erected in the XIV century. Now free access for tourists to the Montale tower is limited, unlike the other two.

Festivals in San Marino

San Marino is a unique city-state. Everything here is literally frozen in the past. Even the constitution, according to which modern residents of the state live, was written in 1600. It is not surprising that it was here that the days of the Middle Ages became popular.

For three days each year, at the end of July, the hands of the clock in San Marino turn back. All those who arrived at this time in the city are literally drawn into the past. All residents dress up in costumes of a bygone era, carnival processions, performances, concerts, standard-bearer competitions, crossbow shooting competitions and all kinds of games and competitions are held on streets and squares.

At this wonderful time, you will have a unique opportunity to buy one of the gizmos of the past "old European woman" or to watch how medieval craftsmen work.

Catering establishments are not far behind the general holiday. According to old recipes, dishes of the "medieval menu" are prepared, and, as in the old days, dishes are served in earthenware dishes. Be sure to try medieval stew and meat dishes with a glass of local red wine.

The incredible atmosphere of the holiday, and the medieval city of San Marino itself will be remembered by the guests of the festival for a long time.

Shopping

San Marino in Italy is of great interest to tourists not only due to its attractions and festivals. The state is a duty-free zone, due to which the prices of most goods here are 20% lower than in Italy, and this is not counting discounts.

They mainly come here in search of inexpensive things from the Italian mass market and, of course, clothes, especially fur coats.

If you want to buy things with really high-profile Italian brands, such as Gucci or Prada, then you will be better off stopping by in Rome, Venice, Milan or Florence.

There is no definite "best time" for shopping in San Marino in Italy, reasonable prices and "weighty" discounts are valid all year round. The only thing - in the summer, due to the influx of tourists in local shops and outlets, there may be some problems with choosing things of suitable sizes.

As for the amount that is worth preparing in order to satisfy your shopping excitement, experienced shopping consultants say that you can completely renew your wardrobe with excellent models of clothing from famous Italian designers in the amount of 1,000 euros. You just have to keep in mind that the designers will be famous, but not top-end, but clothing collections from the past fashion seasons.

Fur coats of San Marino deserve separate words, which can also be bought here at prices ranging from 700 to 1,500 euros. Two fur coat factories operate in San Marino - Braschi and UniFur, which make fur coats from fox, mink, chinchilla and sable. Factory products are known for their impeccable quality and stylish design.

If you want not to waste precious time in the capital of San Marino, and to go shopping and outlets with the greatest benefit, it is a reasonable decision to organize your shopping as part of an excursion from Rimini with our wonderful guide-consultant Victoria, about whom Blogoitaliano has already written a separate article.