San Marino, the oldest republic in the world

Since 2008, UNESCO has defined San Marino as a 'Protected Property'. It is spontaneous to become curious; it is the oldest republic in the world and is characterized by the delightful hilly profile typical of Romagna. The main relief is Monte Titano, where the first great local attraction is found: the Rocca (or Guaita or Prima Torre). It is the oldest of the three fortifications that dot San Marino. The original nucleus is a tower from the 11th century, to which the bell tower, the chapel of Santa Barbara and some defensive structures have been merged over the centuries. The decisive profile with which the Prima Torre stands out against the surrounding landscape is the most emblematic and characteristic shot of San Marino. Another place full of charm is the Passo delle Streghe, a path that immerses the tourist between nature and the Middle Ages. The most important civil building is the Palazzo Pubblico, built in the nineteenth century and in neo-Gothic style, which overlooks the beautiful Piazza della Libertà. It is in front of this setting that the main folkloristic events take place, which often celebrate national pride and its ancient history. One of the places where the sense of San Marino identity is most concentrated is the Basilica of San Marino, a nineteenth-century neoclassical building that rises in place of the ancient parish church of the IV dedicated to the patron saint. San Marino is a hospitable nation that knows how to pamper tourists even at the table, with the delicious local passatelli or the famous Titano cake, a layered cake filled with hazelnuts, cocoa and coffee.