Day 1 in San Marino
Welcome to the tiny
nation of San Marino, the
fifth-smallest country in the world!
Upon arrival, you will go through customs and
immigration. Make your transfer to your destination, arrive at your hotel,
check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do.
San Marino is an independent nation surrounded by Italy. It has a
spectacular location, nestled in the mountains near the Adriatic Sea. The capital
city, also called San Marino, is a maze of hilly, medieval streets, dotted with
cafes and small shops. From the guard towers and the piazzas, the views over
the surrounding countryside are gorgeous.
Start your afternoon at the Piazza Della Liberta, the most popular
public square. From here, enjoy the view over the countryside, watch the
changing of the guard, and explore the Palazzo Pubblico, San Marino`s town hall
and its most iconic building. There is a staircase located inside
the building that leads to the Council Hall on the top tower.
Afterward, wander the streets of the city of San Marino. It
is small, making it possible to walk most of the city in just a few hours. It
is also so clean and so picturesque. Small shops are found throughout the city,
a number of perfume shops, sunglasses shops, and shops selling an assortment of
weapons. Be warned that almost every street in San Marino is part of a steep
hill.
Spend the evening enjoying some local Sammarinese food at one
of the many delicious around the city. Enjoy the spectacular views of your
surroundings while taking in the evening atmosphere.
Day 2 in San Marino
Enjoy a relaxing breakfast at one of
the many quaint cafes around the city. Then head out to climb the towers of San Marino. There are three fortresses - Guaita, Cesta, and Montale, that crown the long
ridge of Mount Titano. Each fortress features a
tower from which there are splendid views of the Apennines, the coastal plain,
Rimini, and the sea as far as the Dalmation coast. The fortresses are linked by a paved
path, the lower part of which is lined with kiosks selling snacks, drinks and
souvenirs. You may want to pack some
piadinas (local flat-bread sandwiches), for a picnic on your journey. Many of
the paths offer excellent stopping points with benches providing a tranquil
place to stop and enjoy the view on your journey.
Guaita
is the oldest and the grandest of the three towers, dating from 1253. Not only
can you take in the view from the tower but you can also walk along the
ramparts. Be prepared for lots of steps. There is one challenging, steep
staircase that is more like a ladder to get to the top of the tower.
Next up, head to the highest peak of
Monte Titano (2,425 ft above sea level) and the fortress Cesta (or Fratta). This tower was built in the first half of the 13th
century and renovated multiple times before being restored to its original look
in 1925. The fortress was erected on the ruins of a former Roman fort. The
second circle of defence walls dates back to the 15th century. Cesta
is home to the Museum of Historical
Weapons, where armors, swords and arquebuses from medieval times to the 19th
century are on display.
Montale is the third tower and dates
back to the end of the 13th century. This is the smallest of the towers;
however for defensive purposes, this tower played a strategic role as it has
the best position for a look-out post. Inside there is a prison called `the
bottom of the tower`. Montale is surrounded by very large and ancient rocks
arranged to form a primitive wall structure.
Afterward, we recommend a stop at the Cava dei Balestrieri, the Crossbowmen`s
Quarry. This quarry was artistically carved out of the rock and today
mostly hosts performances of the feration of crossbowmen and the site of the
medieval festival that takes place every July. If you get lucky with your timeing, you may be able to watch as
the crossbow shooters put on a show.
Spend the remaining part of your
afternoon enjoying one or a few of the several small and unique museums in San Marino. These include the Torture Museum, the Museum of Curiosity,
and the World of Leonardo to name a
few.
In the evening enjoy sampling some wines of the area.
Thanks to a unique micro-climate, where Adriatic zephyrs whistle off
sun-drenched hillsides, tiny vineyards produce outstanding harvests of great
tasting Sangiovese grapes. Try the Brugneto and Tessano (cask-aged red wines),
as well as the Roncale white wines.
Additional Days in San Marino
Should you be able to spend additional
days in San Marino, we recommend visiting the
number of small villages set on
peaks and spurs throughout the Republic of San Marino. Most offer
excellent views of the countryside and of Mount Titano, and several have
interesting histories.
Domangnano`s
fortress of Montelupo was constructed in 1463 and played a part
in San Marino`s war against the Malatesta of Rimini. In the same year, Faetano was taken over by San
Marino, and they also acquired the Malatesta castle in Fiorentino. And our favorite, the caste in Montegiardino, a town that
dates back at least to the Roman era, the castle is absolutely stunning. Both
the villages of Sarravalle
and Borgo have
become important residential centers of San Marino.
Your Last Day in San Marino
Depart your hotel for the airport or train station where you will head home or make your way to more European adventures. Savor the memories of a very special time spent in the republic of San Marino.