It is the world’s oldest republic and arguably has the continent’s worst national football team. San Marino is well worth a visit if you are making a visit to Italy’s Adriatic coast. My article about San Marino on the BBC Travel site was published in August (here for UK folks), but I thought I’d share a few pictures from this very agreeable hilltop nation.
Porta San Francesco – the main entrance for pedestrians heading into the Old Town
Civilian Police guarding pedestrian crossing at entrance to Old Town. There are no traffic lights in San Marino
Narrow lanes of the Old Town
Government Building (or People’s Palace), where the 60 elected representatives sit
Inside the main debating chamber in the Government Building
Guards of the Rock outside the People’s Palace – the uniforms were originally blue, but someone in the 19th century made a mistake when ordering supplies
The view from Guaita, the first of the three towers of San Marino
Climbing up to the top of the first of San Marino’s three towers
The view from Cesta, the second of San Marino’s three towers
Links between Russia and San Marino are strong (Russians make up the bulk of the tourists here) so a Beslan memorial in San Marino is perhaps not surprising
Amazing pics Andy. Have been there at once after my marriage and San Marino is an awesome place to visit. However, I missed climbing that tower at that time due to some health issues. But next time, will surely gonna climb this one.
San Marino is the oldest surviving sovereign state and constitutional republic. Seeing your blog makes me want to schedule a visit there. The view from Cesta is really astounding.
Been there during italy trip, It was really a very beautiful country on top of the mountain. And the view from the tower is astonishing.