San Marino, a jewel in the middle of Italy

arriving in San Marino
arriving in San Marino

The day we went to San Marino was a huge marathon, We know 2 cities, and a country, all in the same day! We went through Ravenna in the morning as you can check here ( COMING SOON ) and it was a huge Sun. Then we went to Tavullia to kill my crazy desire to go through the fan club of Valentino Rossi, You can check here ( COMING SOON ). Then we left for San Marino!

When I began to plan the trip to Italy I was crazy to get to visit San Marino. Name of one of the circuits of [tooltip tip=”Julia says: Yes I'm a girl, Yes I like Formula 1 and Moto GP”]Formula 1 and Moto GP[/tooltip] (Despite the awards actually occur in [tooltip tip=”Julia says: I never understood that…”]Imola[/tooltip]), walled city, charming, with an amazing view! I read several reports about the incredible view of the plains from the top of the towers that can be visited. Besides of course, it's country within Italy with freeshop! There everything is sold without tax, is there anything more happy? But the main reason no doubt was the fact that the city is all medieval, and have a breathtaking view.

external wall
external wall

 

Summary about the
Republic of San Marino

The Republic of San Marino is a [tooltip tip=”Julia says: With all due respect”]mini-country[/tooltip] as well as: Liechtenstein, Vatican, Monaco, Andorra, and Malta, about 61km2. It's an enclave completely surrounded by Italy, with a population of approximately 31.000 persons . San Marino was founded in 3 of sandtembre of 301 by Marinus of Rab (Rab is said to be the name of the island where he came from). Avoiding false accusations, Marinus left for the Mount Titano aiming to become a hermit, there he built a chapel and a monastery. Years later he was canonized and the State of San Marino began to grow around the Chapel and the monastery.

 

 

entrance to San Marino and the security cabine from the street
entrance to San Marino and the security cabine from the street

Curiosities

>The Constitution of San Marino, created in 1600, is the oldest Constitution in the world still in force. The country is governed through Parliament.

>San Marino sovereign State and Constitutional Republic is the oldest in the world.

>San Marino is the smallest Republican State in the world.

>When Napoleon invaded Italy, respected the independence of the Republic of San Marino and came to offer so they increase their territory, but San Marino refused.

When we left Tavullia the weather began to change, I wasn't expecting great things , but then you arrive at San Marino and… I couldn't see anything!

They stole the Italian Plains
they stole the Italian plains

Describe my feeling when arriving in San Marino is confused, the city was empty… had half a dozen tourists, the stores half open, some closing, the mists coming down… the bell ringing in the background. I felt in the middle of a medieval history, I swear I was waiting anytime that a mounted Knight would pass through the streets of stone.

For the shopaholics San Marino is a paradise in the middle of Europe, Since there are no fee. You find everything! touristic items , cute decorative itens, [tooltip tip=”Julia says: I bought the most beautiful watch universe there! Automatic gears to the shows”]watches[/tooltip] and glasses, Besides weapons, lotsss of weapons, for all tastes. The prices are really much more into account than in other cities, so we ended up buying some items, after all nobody is made of iron.

Several of the items you can find in San Marino. I was maddened by these sculptures of the Lion King, and the pair of Leaves. but eventually did not buy ....
Several of the items that you can find in San Marino. I was maddened by these sculptures of the Lion King, and the pair of Sai…but it turns out I didn't buy…

We continue our climb through the friendly stone streets of San Marino, the atmosphere of the city is charming, you feel traveling in time. What impressed me is that all of these buildings are practically unique and are very well preserved.

alleys of San Marino
alleys of San Marino
more details of San Marino
more details of San Marino
in the photo on the left bust of Garibaldi, and the right the statue of liberty. San Marino has always remained neutral in wars and disputes, besides providing shelter to many refugees as Garibaldi
in the photo on the left bust of Garibaldi, and the right the statue of liberty. San Marino has always remained neutral in wars and disputes, besides providing shelter to many refugees as Garibaldi
entrance to the Basilica, and the right side, that mini door, I found out (writing this post) that is the entrance to the Church of St. Peter. Next time I'll go.
entrance to the Basilica, and the right side, that mini door, I found out (writing this post) that is the entrance to the Church of St. Peter. Next time I'll go.

We found in our way a beautiful church, currently the main church of the city. It was built in neoclassical style in 1836 in place of the old church of the century 4, because of it's conditions. She, as well as it's predecessor, is dedicated to the founder of the city, San Marino. Within it are housed the relics of the Holy. The Basilica is composed of 3 ships, with 8 columns supporting the roof on each side of the main nave. The Church, is relatively simple, with small altars in the aisles, but without excesses of gold, it's extremely clear, and the refinement of the details is on the top of the columns and the curved ceiling . Like almost all the churches of Italy the floor is a passion , always with beautiful drawings formed by the tiles. On top of the front door a beautiful silver organ. I was delighted, I hate when I go into a church, and is so much ornament, information and ostentation that you feel suffocated. The clarity of the basilica was a contrast to the light that was on the outside, When we left I felt the fog was even lower.

detail of columns and ceiling
detail of columns and ceiling
Overview of the ships of the Church and details of the altars and the altar
Overview of the ships of the Church and details of the altars and the main altar
organ of the Church and detail of sign saying that the Church was built on top
organ of the Church and detail of sign saying that the basilica was built on top of the old church

Despite the fog we continued our way (for nothing) until the towers. I went up to a small garden super charming. I bet that in a normal day the view should be beautiful… but what I got was this beautiful white wall. On the side of the garden there is a restaurant that should be delightful to spend an afternoon admiring the landscape… but… another white screen… It was left to our imaginations create the view from up there.

Finally we arrived in one of the towers that obviously was closed due to fog. We made a picture for the moment and being our descent.

A very nice salesman who revealed hate the cold weather and wanted to come to Brazil to take advantage of the Sun, told us that the phenomenon of fog there in San Marino wasn't common. I felt lucky after all. I have a special record of San Marino.

abandoned person in the entrance of the city
abandoned person in the entrance of the city
my beautiful acquisition
my beautiful acquisition

As the hours went by and the end of the day approaching the fog became even denser, in fact I could't see anymore the other side of the street. It was at that moment that we lost my dad . How we took quite a bit in the store talking with the seller, while I acquired my so wanted salt and pepper shakers [tooltip tip=”Julia says: Yes it's a charm, Yes I'm years behind one. “]LILLIPUT from Alessi[/tooltip]. My father thought we had gone and decided to leave too. The problem is that the fog does not help at all when you are in an unfamiliar place looking for someone. We split up, and we went down through different paths to find him abandoned at the entrance of the city, hehehe.

For sure we want to go back and enjoy San Marino with more calm and more Sun hehehe. If you have the time, it's worth the visit. San Marino is a beautiful city/country, really well conservated and for those who doesn't care about historical facts you can still do a little shopping.

 

– Historical information of San Marino Wikipedia –

3 thoughts to “San Marino, a jewel in the middle of Italy”

  1. Abandonment of elderly is a crime! But can leave me in Italy, without problem, I don't see anything wrong with that,see?

Leave your comment or doubt

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.