San Marino
| x150px Flag of San Marino | |
| Capital | San Marino |
| Inhabitants | 31.538 |
| Language(s) | Italian |
The third smallest state in Europe (after The Holy See and Monaco) also claims to be the world's oldest republic. According to tradition, it was founded by a Christian stonemason named Marinus in 301 A.D. San Marino's foreign policy is aligned with that of Italy. Social and political trends in the republic also track closely with those of its larger neighbor.
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History
San Marino, the world's third-smallest state, also claims to be the world's oldest republic. According to tradition, San Marino was founded in AD 301 when a Christian stonemason named Marinus the Dalmatian fled to the island of Arbe to escape the anti-Christian Roman Emperor Diocletian. Marinus hid on the peak of Mount Titano and founded a small community of people following their Christian beliefs. It is certain that the area had been inhabited since prehistoric times, although evidence of existence on Mount Titano dates back only to the middle ages. In memory of the stonecutter, the land was renamed "Land of San Marino," and was finally changed to its present-day name, "Republic of San Marino."
The original government structure was composed of a self-governed assembly known as the Arengo, which consisted of the heads of each family. In 1243, the positions of Captains Regent (Capitani Reggenti) were established to be the joint heads of state. The state's earliest statutes date back to 1263.
The land area of San Marino consisted only of Mount Titano until 1463, at which time the republic entered into an alliance against Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta, Lord of Rimini, who was later defeated. As a result, Pope Pius II Piccolomini gave San Marino the towns of Fiorentino, Montegiardino, and Serravalle. Later that year, the town of Faetano joined the republic on its own accord. Since then, the size of San Marino has remained unchanged.
San Marino has been occupied by foreign militaries twice in its history, both for only short periods of time. In 1503, Cesare Borgia, known as Valentino, occupied the republic until his death several months later. In 1739, Cardinal Alberoni used military force to occupy the country, but civil disobedience was used to protest this, and clandestine notes sent to the Pope to obtain justice were answered by the Pope's recognition of San Marino's rights and restored them to independence.
The state was recognized by Napoleon in 1797 and by the Congress of Vienna in 1815. San Marino maintains diplomatic and consular relations with a number of European and American countries, mints its own coins, issues its own postage stamps and grants honors of merit. Legislative power is exercised by the Grand Council of 60 members and the executive by a State Congress divided into ministries, renewed with each legislature. The Capitani Reggenti have a representative mandate and are elected twice yearly, in April and October.
San Marino is the only surviving Italian city-state. Like Andorra, Liechtenstein and Monaco, it appears an anachronism, a reminder of the times when Europe – particularly Germany, Italy and the Pyrenees – was made up of tiny political units, often extending no further than a cannon could fire from a city’s walls. Of all the small European countries, San Marino’s survival is the most surprising. Apart from the Vatican City (whose development followed a different course), it is the only one which is completely surrounded by one other country. Various treaties of friendship have been signed with Italy since the latter’s unification, but San Marino proudly asserts its independence where possible.
Having joined the Council of Europe as a full member in 1988, San Marino held the chair of the organization during the first half of 1990.
San Marino became a member of the United Nations in 1992.
Culture
In San Marino the evocative traditions are based on authentic, documented history which saw the ancient standard raised, the sound of the clarions blaring and the cross-bows taking aim, never attacking, but ever defending ancient freedoms.
Every year for a full week the various districts of the historic centre undergo a metamorphosis; the multi-coloured daytime tourist paths become a sort of evening living theatre where the actors are a series of parading processions, creating a climate of colours, notes and emotions. Between the rolls of the drums and the blare of the trumpets, more than five hundred people in splendid historic costumes, picturesque processions, multi-coloured standards and flag waving offer highly suggestive moments, quite spectacular and set on the suggestive background of the Cava dei Balestrieri. Musicians, street players, jugglers and acrobats engage the public in the fun of itinerant performances. Celebration of the medieval tradition sings the praises of the typical culinary traditions of the foods of the past. For the entire period of the manifestation, for those who desire it, restaurants in the centre offer delectable menus inspired by ancient recipes, deliberately drawn from accurate, in-depth historic research, reworking in a modern key the fruits of our ancestors' imaginations. The medieval market, seething with dim lights and a warm atmosphere, is a wonderful setting where shops selling Ancient Crafts show off the artistry and creativity of ancient traditions, the uses and customs that modern times have nearly wiped away. Besides evoking the aura of ancient times with spectacular staged events and providing the opportunity to relive the most ancient traditions of the San Marino history, the 'Medieval Days' are the most breathlessly awaited appointment on the calendar of events organized by the Republic of San Marino.
Events
coming soon...
National holidays
- Jan 1: New Year's Day
- Jan 6: Epiphany
- Feb 5: Sant' Agata - (liberation from the Cardinal Giuio Alberoni Occupation in 1740)
- Mar 25: Arengo Anniversary - (Reintroduction of the Arengo in 1906 - democratic government)
- Apr 1: Regency Exchange (The regents exchange posts every 6 months)
- May 1: Labour Day
- Jul 28: Fall of the Fascist Government
- Aug 15: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, August Bank Holiday
- Sep 3: Anniversary of the Foundation of the Republic - Festa del Santo Patrono
- Oct 1: Regency Exchange
- Nov 1: All Saints' Day
- Nov 2: All Souls' Day
- Dec 8: Feast of the Immaculate Conception
- Dec 24: Christmas Eve
- Dec 25: Christmas Day
- Dec 26: St Stephen's Day
- Dec 31: New Year's Eve
- Good Friday
- Easter Sunday
- Easter Monday
- Corpus Christi
Embassies
- Embassy of Belgium in Milan, San Marino - 2, via Amerigo Vespucci, 20124 Milano, Italy. Tel: (39) (02) 29.00.47.55, Fax: (39) (02) 659.65.87 E-mail: milan@diplobel.org
