San Marino – Third Smallest Country in Europe and World’s Oldest Republic

Officially name is “Republic of San Marino” which is third smallest green country in Europe after the Vatican City and Monaco as well as world’s oldest Republic Country also listed in fifth small country in the world. This green country spread only in 61 sq. meters is independent with own government and laws though, it whole country surrounded by Italy’s Emilia-Romagna and Le Marche regions near the Adriatic Sea, but some trends and tracks little close with its neighbor country. This country is hilly topography and its highest point Mount Titano which capital city of San Marino. 

However, this country has no flat ground as part of the Apennine Mountain range and no bodies of water.  The picturesque country’s medieval stone walls circle the original clearance as well as whole built of stone and closed to traffic, well a single street straight to Piazza della Liberta where cafes, restaurants, ceramics shops and duty-free items shops line up that one of the most attractive tourists spot in San Marino.

To reach here, tourist have to take car or by bus from Rimini to San Marino daily excludes Sundays and Holidays. However, there is no airport and no railway stations in San Marino, visitors have to reach nearest airports Rimini, Ancona, Bologna, Forli also railway station at Rimini. Today, no railway network in this country, but in short period before WWII as connecting the country with the Italian rail network at Rimini. While, Italy to San Marino is quite easy to move, as no border control and no need passport to enter but visitors have to stamp in the tourist department as a souvenir.

The atmosphere is warm in summer and cool winter that typical inland area of the central Italian peninsula. Even though, over 2.2% of this country depends on tourism where 2 million visitors having visited every year. While talking about, the dishes about San Marino is quite similar to Italian specially the Emilia-Romagna and Marche regions as well as have small wine factory.

In 2008, the two sites of the San Marino, Historic Center and Mount Titano became part of the UNESCO World Heritage List where total population of around only 30,000 people are living. This is perfect place to relax and enjoy the tranquil surroundings which is totally untouched land, rolling hills, wineries and fortresses which is similar to the Tuscan countryside. As independent country, San Marino has own its own military which has tradition of the changing of the guard that kept from April to September and every half hour from 8 am to 6 pm at the Palazzo Publlico.

Here, San Marino have a huge range of museum with traditional painting to quirky collections where at State Museum found large collection of paintings, coins as well as archeological objects and another one San Francesco Museum that known for 16 century paintings, here famous for Ancient Arms, Museum of Modern and Modern Art. Additionally, Wax Museum, Museum of curious, the Ferrari and Abarth Museum those are very well known for their collections.