Archive for category: Monuments

Rising majestically at the highest point of Mount Titan, where the sky seems to touch the earth, stands the Basilica of San Marino, the spiritual heart of the world’s oldest republic. Like a beacon guiding travelers, its eight Corinthian columns welcome faithful and visitors alike, silent witnesses to a history that spans centuries.

From Ancient Stones to Neoclassical Grandeur

Where today we admire the elegant neoclassical façade, once stood the ancient Parish Church, one of Italy’s earliest pre-Romanesque monuments. In 1826, under the wise guidance of Bolognese architect Antonio Serra, construction of the current Basilica began, inaugurated in 1838 amid the emotion of the Sammarinese people. A century later, in 1926, the church received the prestigious title of Minor Basilica, crowning centuries of devotion and history.

A Treasury of Art and Spirituality

The neoclassical style manifests in all its purity in the pronaos, where eight majestic Corinthian columns, crowned with finely decorated capitals featuring acanthus leaves, seem to support the sky itself. On the pediment, the words “Divo Marino Patrono et Lebertatis Auctori sen. p.q.” remind all of the unbreakable bond between the founding Saint and the Republic’s freedom.

The Sacred Heart of the Republic

Crossing the threshold, visitors are welcomed into a solemn space divided into three naves, where the central one rises majestically, housing seven altars of rare beauty. A unique element of particular historical interest is the 17th-century throne platform, reserved for the Captains Regent, a living symbol of Sammarinese institutional continuity.

The Relics of the Founding Saint

March 3, 1586, marked an unforgettable date for San Marino: the discovery of the Saint’s relics. Today, these precious remains rest beneath the main altar and in an elegant silver ossuary that reproduces Marinus’s skull and face, tangible testimony to the founder’s spiritual presence in his Republic.

The Church of Saint Peter: A Hidden Treasure

Next to the Basilica, almost hidden from view, lies the evocative Church of Saint Peter, dating back to the 16th century. Inside, two niches carved into the living rock are traditionally indicated as the resting places of Saints Marinus and Leo, adding an aura of mystery and sacredness to this already special place.

Curiosities and Details That Tell a Story

The Basilica’s bell tower houses seven bells, each with its own voice and specific task: from solemn festivities to moments of mourning, each toll tells a different story. The Basilica itself has become such an important symbol that it is depicted on San Marino’s 10-cent euro coin, although this coin remains a collector’s piece, present only in divisional series.

The Sammarinese stonemasons, heirs to the Saint founder’s art, have left their indelible mark in the magnificent reliefs decorating the building: the Torch, the republican fasces, and the laurel branches testify to their mastery.

Practical Information for Visitors

The Basilica welcomes the faithful for Sunday Mass at 11:00 AM, but the most solemn moments are experienced during the celebrations of September 3rd (Feast of Saint Marinus), February 5th (Saint Agatha), and on the days of the Captains Regent’s installation (April 1st and October 1st).

For those wishing to visit, the Basilica is located at Piazzale Domus Plebis, 1 in San Marino City, in the heart of the historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

At the highest point of Mount Titan, 755 meters above sea level, stands the majestic Second Tower of San Marino, known as “Cesta”. Like an ancient stone sentinel, this masterpiece of medieval military architecture has dominated the surrounding landscape for almost a millennium.

History and Architecture of the Cesta

The history of Cesta is rooted in Roman times, when it served as a strategic watchtower. The first written evidence of its existence dates back to 1253, but its role as guardian of Sammarinese territory is even older. Like its elder sister, the First Tower Guaita, Cesta is surrounded by mighty stone walls, crowned by the characteristic merlons that define its unmistakable profile.

Inside the Second Tower of San Marino you can walk the passages on the walls: super scenic!

The Great Restoration

A fundamental chapter in Cesta’s history was written between 1924 and 1925, when master stonemasons undertook meticulous restoration work. This monumental work restored the tower to its ancient splendor, carefully preserving all the typical elements of medieval military architecture: from crossbow positions to loopholes, originally used to pour boiling pitch on potential attackers.

A Museum in the Sky

Today, the Second Tower houses the prestigious Museum of Ancient Weapons, a collection that tells centuries of history through armor, weapons, and war artifacts. This modern use perfectly integrates with the original architecture, creating a bridge between past and present.

The Tower in Sammarinese Culture

The importance of Cesta in San Marino’s history and identity is such that the tower was chosen to be depicted on the Sammarinese 50-cent euro coin, testifying to its fundamental role in the Republic’s cultural heritage.

The Museum of Ancient Arms inside the Second Tower of San Marino.

Visiting the Second Tower

To reach Cesta, visitors can follow the suggestive path that winds from the First Tower along the ancient walls and the Witches’ Path, a journey that offers breathtaking views of the Republic and the Romagna Riviera.

A local’s tip: Cesta’s elevated position makes it the perfect spot for watching the sunrise. In the early morning hours, when the mist slowly dissipates, the panorama that opens up over the valley below creates a natural spectacle of rare beauty.

Like a silent sentinel rising towards the sky, San Marino’s Third Tower Montale stands out for its elegant pentagonal shape and its history rich in mystery. The last of the three towers dominating Mount Titan’s profile, the Montale represents a fascinating chapter in the history of the world’s oldest republic.

History and Architecture of the Third Tower

Smaller but no less important than its elder sisters, the First Tower Guaita and the Second Tower Cesta, the Montale served for centuries as a crucial defensive outpost. Its strategic position allowed guards to scan the horizon for potential threats, serving as the last bulwark of San Marino’s defensive system.

The tower’s history intertwines with the events of the Malatesta family: 1479 marked a turning point when, with the destruction of Fiorentino Castle, the fortress was gradually abandoned. Before this date, the Montale played a vital role in the defensive communication network, signaling the arrival of travelers and possible dangers through a sophisticated system of signals.

The Secret of the Tower’s Bottom

What makes the Montale truly unique is its grim secret: in its foundations lies a prison known as the “Bottom of the Tower,” a six-meter-deep detention chamber accessible only from above. This peculiar architectural feature, which made it a virtually impregnable prison, is also the reason why the tower is not open for internal visits today.

The Montale Today: A Symbol in Stone and Currency

Although internal access is not possible, the Montale continues to tell its story. Visitors can admire its imposing structure from the outside and enjoy a breathtaking view ranging from the Romagna Riviera to the Montefeltro hills. On clearer days, the panorama becomes a spectacle that more than makes up for the climb.

The symbolic importance of the Montale for San Marino is also reflected in numismatics: the tower was chosen to be depicted on the Sammarinese 1-cent euro coin, testifying to its fundamental role in the historical and cultural identity of the Republic.

Visiting Information

Unlike the other towers of Mount Titan, the Montale can only be visited from the outside. Its slender profile and characteristic pentagonal plan still offer excellent photographic opportunities, especially during sunset hours when the sunlight colors the stone in golden hues.

To reach the Montale, it is recommended to follow the path starting from the First Tower Guaita: a panoramic walk that allows you to appreciate the entire defensive system of the three towers and immerse yourself in San Marino’s millennial history.

A local’s tip: The best time to visit the Montale is during the early morning hours or at sunset, when the raking light creates suggestive shadow plays on the ancient stone and the panorama over the Riviera takes on particularly evocative tones.