From Bologna to Salerno - Republic of San Marino (2/9)

We spent the 1st of July in the peaceful Republic of San Marino, which is supposedly the oldest Republic and the third smallest State in Europe. It was, without doubt, the star of our Italian tour, especially because of the medieval essence it shows. How do you get there? We caught a bus from a stop just in front of Rimini's train station. The tickets can be bought both in the Tourism Office (next to the station), and on the bus itself, and the price is €5 there and another €5 back per person. The buses that go to San Marino pass through approx. each 1hr15mins. With regards to the length of the journey, it takes around 40 minutes to arrive. Another option to get to the city is by funicular, but this alternative is a bit more expensive.

Just when we were visiting this place they were in preparations for a celebration; it was the 9th anniversary of the registration of San Marino to UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and there was going to be important exhibitions and big concerts, so all the streets were meticulously decorated in anticipation of the events.

San Marino is really wonderful, although it's true that it's chock full of stairs and never-ending hills...don't forget comnfy shoes and a bottle of water... or a few! San Marino also has a Tourist Office; it's a building with a stone facade before which there's a beautiful statue in memory of the victims of the bombardment that the city suffered, due to the mistake made by English troops, in June 1944.

Something that I can't forget to mention, there's public bathrooms around the city, which you can use for 50 cents.

One of San Marino's hills and, to the right, a fabulous view

Legend has it, San Marino was a city founded in the Mount Titan by the deacon of San Marino in the year 301. The most important in San Marino is its three Towers, which is part of the ancient fortress ("rocca" in Italian) or medieval walls: Guaita, Fratta and Montale. Guaita is the biggest of the towers and, in addition, it was constructed in the 11th Century; it was also used as a prison. With regards to Montale or the Third Tower, it's the smallest and last to be built of all the towers, it was used as a surveillance tower and it's of the 14th century; you can't access the interior, but the views from there are incredible.

View from the Guaita fortress

Interior of the Guaita fortress and view of De La Fratta fortress in the background

View from De La Fratta fortress

The Second Tower, or Fratta, is on the highest part of the mountain and is home to the Museum of Ancient Weapons. The Guaita Tower and the Fratta Tower are the only ones where the interior is open to visit. The entrance to each one of the Towers is €3. 50 for students (concessions). Despite this on the posters it says that there are only discounts for groups of students. Us, being only two people, asked if they could apply the discount and, without even asking for our university ID cards, they gave us the reduced price.

Also you can visit the San Francisco church (the oldest of San Marino), and the Basilica of San Marino (free entry with endless paintings and statues), although I must highlight another place, that is without any doubt the Piazza Libertà, where the imposing Palazzo Pubblico is located, with its clock tower and a statue that represents Liberty. There the Public Palace is found, seat of the Government, and you can see the Changing of the Guard every hour "and a half". There's a specific schedule that I don't remember right now.

Basilica of San Marino

The Public Palace and, to the right, the famous statue

Some "alternative" museums that can be found in the city are the Museum of Torture, the Museum of Vampires and the Museum of Curiosities; although I don't think they are really worth visiting, at least that's my opinion.

With regards to food, we ate in a restaurant near the second tower: Hocus Pocus (on the street Passo delle Streghe). I totally recommend this place, not just because it's in a good location, but also because it offers a varied menu at a very good price. For example, we opted for a menu that included a drink, chips and a huge pizza for €9. Another reason to go there is that they don't take a cover charge or a tip, a normal and habitual practice in Italian restaurants; this doesn't mean that you shouldn't leave a tip if you get good service, at least I liked it.

A delicious pizza that didn't even fit on the table, in the restaurant Hocus Pocus

Next stop: Florence

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