Are you in love with history?
But, thinking about which country facts to read?
Close your eyes, AND TRUST ME ON THIS…when I say, SAN MARINO is the place!
A great atmosphere, fresh air, good people and some good food…you will get every necessities that you want…⛰️
So, what are we waiting for? Let’s just get started.
Facts about San Marino
San Marino: A microstate!
Geographically, San Marino measures 23.6 square miles (61 square kilometers)…making it the fifth-smallest country in the world!
It only has the city-states of Monaco and the Holy See and the island nations of Tuvalu and Nauru.
Just 33,559 people live there! 🌃
The estimated population of the UK is 65.64 million (just for you to compare).
Wanna travel back to the fifth century BC? San Marino is your place!
According to archaeological discoveries, there may have been a settlement as early as the fifth century BC.
In the late 1200s, during the Age of the Commune…San Marino was formally unified as a political unit.
A significant chunk of the city was surrounded by a network of stone walls.🧭
Also during this time, the three summits of Mount Titano were guarded by the formidable strongholds Guaita, Cesta, and Montale!!
Strong enough to stop invasions!
You know what, the fortified home faced numerous invasions… the good part is- always managed to retain its independence!
Cesare Borgia made unsuccessful attempts to conquer it in the 1500s and 1700s…it even managed to resist joining the Papal State. 🏰
Fortunately, San Marino was a political entity with a republican government when the Napoleonic troops arrived in the 18th century…they respected its autonomy!
(and even gave it economic concessions)
The three recognizable towers of the old town, which are also depicted on the flag, serve as a symbol of the Republic’s tenacity!
President Abraham Lincoln: An honorary citizen of San Marino!
In a letter to the Captains Regent in 1861…Abraham Lincoln professed his respect for San Marino!
In his writing, “Although your domain is little, your State is one of the most honored throughout history… They gave him citizenship in return.
A letter from the administration of “the Most Serene Republic of San Marino” was delivered to Abraham Lincoln a few weeks after his inauguration.
It was written in both Italian and English! 🌟
In the northern part of the Italian peninsula…about ten miles inland from the Adriatic Sea, is San Marino, which is claimed to be the world’s oldest republic!!
Refugees get unconditional support from this country!
This nation has never turned away a person seeking asylum!
Most notably, in 1849, when it was encircled by three hostile armies, Giuseppe Garibaldi sought refuge within the fortress walls of San Marino. 🫂
Later, Garibaldi contributed to ensuring that San Marino was excluded from the official Italian Unification in 1867.
While San Marino remained neutral in World War II… it provided shelter and asylum to 100,000 evacuees from bombed-out regions of Italy!
The origin of the first postal service!
A paid postal service was made available to all locals in 1607!
The first postage stamps of the Republic were released in 1877 …. Ever since then, San Marino stamps have honored its historical and cultural figures and events!!
Since San Marino only produces a small number of stamps…the nation has long been a popular destination for philatelists. 📮
Do you love stamps? Then, this fact about San Marino is a real must for you!
The same goes for those who collect rare coins.
Bilingual or multilingual? Find it now!
Residents of San Marino (also known as SANMARINESE) speak Italian as well as Romagnol!
What is Romagnol?
Well, it is an ancient dialect of the nearby Emilia-Romagna area.
The largest community in the nation is Dogana…. a part of Serravalle…the largest municipality!
The City of San Marino, the nation’s capital, is perched on Monte Titano.
Italian is the official language of San Marino! (Though, they are multi-lingual).
Fill your pockets with Euros, before landing in San Marino!
It gained formal ties with the EU in 1983, but only as a “Third State.”
Due to a Monetary Agreement with the European Union, the Republic of San Marino uses the Euro as its official currency! 💶
On September 1, 2012, the new agreement took effect, replacing the one that had been in effect since it was signed in 2000.
Due to a monetary agreement with Italy, San Marino used the Lira as its official currency before the Euro was introduced!
(Shhh… A tug of ‘Currency’?)
The oldest national constitution: San Marino’s constitution!
Yes you heard it right!
The oldest existing written constitution in the world is San Marino.
The Statutes of 1600…a collection of six books that make up the San Marino constitution…were written in Latin in 1600!!
Since there is academic disagreement over whether multiple texts can be regarded as constitutions!
San Marino, which was established on September 3, 301 AD…by Marinus of Rab.
He was a Christian stonemason who had fled the religious persecution of Roman Emperor Diocletian!
He claimed it to be the oldest constitutional republic in the world!
Its first entry in the Olympic Games was Summer of 1960!
Since then, it has competed in 12 Summer Olympics and 7 Winter Olympics!
But has not yet received a medal!
Records show that shooting is the country’s strongest sport!
And the best part is…in 2004 competitors Francesco Amici and Emanuela Felici nearly made it to the finals.
San Marino isn’t exactly a national power in sports!
The majority of the time, it participates in European football qualifying, where it almost always loses, frequently by scores like 9-0!
Ranks third in the list of Least visited countries in EUROPE!
San Marino was named the “Least Visited Country in Europe” in 2017 when only 60,000 foreign visitors came.
The industry with the most potential for growth is tourism, which significantly boosts locals’ income!
Along with conventional excursion tourism…there is residential tourism and convention-type tourism that is based on contemporary hotel amenities!
Summing up
This historic country in central Italy is landlocked and lacks any claim to sporting excellence, but it does have Abraham Lincoln as a fan!
Our entertaining fact sheet on San Marino includes these intriguing anecdotes and more. 🌱
I am sure you enjoyed it (If you are up to here)!!💐
I’m a former teacher (and mother of Two Childs) with a background in child development. Here to help you with play-based learning activities for kids. ( Check my Next startup Cledemy.Com)
