Out of all the countries in the world, microstates seem to get the least amount of attention. Granted, being microstates, it’s easy to miss them on the map. If you were to look at a map of Italy, you would probably miss the two microstates that lie completely within the country’s borders. I’m sure many are familiar with Vatican City, the world’s smallest country; however, most people probably have not heard of San Marino. San Marino is another microstate completely surrounded by Italy. While San Marino may be obsure to the average map observer, it has a rich hisotry full of natural beauty and amazing tourist destinations. Founded in 350 A.D., the country has managed to retain its independence throughout centuries of conflict in the region including both World Wars and Italian unification. It is the oldest republic in the world with medieval-like architecture; this hidden country has so much to offer the outside world.
San Marino does not have the highest tourism numbers, even though it lies within a country with many hot tourist destinations. However, this means that the streets will be less crowded and more people miss out on such interesting tourist attractions. One of these attractions, the Rocca Guaita, is a fortress that lies atop a hill. Built in the 11th century, this monument overlooks the city of San Marino and provides a view of all the natural and man-made beauty that San Marino has to offer.
The Museo di State (National Museum) would also be a worthwhile attraction to visit. Any country’s national museum provides so much historical value, and San Marino’s is no different. You can find ancient art from the Italian peninsula dating back to Etruscan and Roman times. There is also Byzantine, Renaissance and Egyptian art at the museum. I would definitely like to see some antique San Marino coins and how they compare to other ancient currencies. A microstate founded in 350 A.D. must have an interesting history, considering that it has managed to retain its independence since then. Visiting the National Museum would provide greater insight into the political and cultural history of the country.
You can also take a cable car for a ride to have an arial view of San Marino. You can see the lush and green landscape hundreds of feet in the air but also the architecture that seems untouched by modernity. The cars go up to Mount Titano, so even after the trip up is finished, you will still be able to have a magnificient view of the surrounding landscape.
I feel like microstates do not get enough attention on the world state or the tourism industry. However, that just means that less tourists will come and wreck the natural beauty of these places. San Marino has a beautiful natural geography and landscape. Its streets are filled with authentic Sammarinese buildings and architecture. Its unqiue history sets it apart from other countries in the region and only adds to its mystique. I would love to have the opportunity to visit San Marino and the other microstates of Europe.
Works Cited:
“170° ANNIVERSARIO DEL PASSAGGIO DI GARIBALDI SUL TITANO 1849 – 2019: DA SAN MARINO A RAVENNA AGLI APPENNINI.” Trafila San Marino | Trafila Garibaldina, NEXT TRENDS COMMUNICATION S.R.L., www.terredidante.it/it/tour-trafila-sanmarino.jsp.
Rogers, Barbara Radcliffe. “14 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in San Marino: PlanetWare.” PlanetWare.com, PlanetWare, 9 Mar. 2021, www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions-/san-marino-rsm-rsm-rsm.htm.
“San Marino.” Infoplease, Sandbox & Co., www.infoplease.com/world/countries/san-marino.
Smigielski, Adam. “Flag of San Marino with Stock Footage Video (100% Royalty-Free) 6651017.” Shutterstock, Shutterstock, www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-6651017-flag-san-marino-fabric-structure-looping.