San Marino

For other places with the same name, see San Marino (disambiguation). Location Flag Quick Facts Capital San Marino Government Republic Currency euro (€) Area 61.2 sq km Population 27,730 (July 2002 est.) Language Italian Religion Roman Catholic Electricity 230V/50Hz (European, Italian plug) Country code +378 (+0549 From Italy) Internet TLD .sm Time Zone UTC+1 Emergencies dial 112 San Marino (officially the Republic of San Marino) is the third smallest state in Europe (after the Holy See City and Monaco), and claims to be the world's oldest republic. According to tradition, it was founded by a Christian stonemason named Marinus in 301. San Marino's foreign policy is aligned with that of Italy, which surrounds it. Social and political trends in the republic also track closely with those of its larger neighbour. Understand San Marino is the world's oldest republic and Europe's third smallest state. It lies 657 m above sea level with spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and Adriatic coast, and is situated only 10km from Rimini. Legend has it that the founder of San Marino, a stonemason arrived from the island of Rab in Dalmatia, climbed Mt. Titano to found a small community of Christians, persecuted for their faith by the Emperor Diocletian. San Marino is made up of a few towns dotted around the mountain sides. The capital of San Marino is itself called 'San Marino' and is situated high up on a mountain top. The capital is surrounded by a wall and three distinct towers overlook the rest of the country. The site "San Marino: Historic Centre and Mount Titano" has become part of the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2008. The towns surrounding the capital are more industrial and generally not as attractive as the main city. San Marino is 20 times bigger than Monaco and half the size of Liechtenstein. Get in City Gate into walled San Marino San Marino has open borders, but foreigners staying more than 20 days in San Marino must have a permit from the government. By plane San Marino has no airports. The nearest major airport is at Rimini. There are other airports at Ancona, Bologna and Forlì. By train San Marino has no railway stations. The nearest major railway station is at Rimini. By car You should have no problems driving into San Marino. Border controls do not exist. San Marino is highly accessible but can take 3-4 hours from the West. Mostly all free parking, try not to park right at the bottom of the hill, otherwise it's a long way to the top! By bus Bus 72 runs from Rimini to San Marino daily at regular intervals. A return ticket costs around €9. This bus can be found just outside the Rimini train station (outside Burger King). Note that when we showed up for the bus just a few minutes before departure it was full and we were told to wait until the next bus, one hour later. It is perhaps then advisable to show up a little bit earlier to ensure enough seats remain on the bus. Tickets can either be bought prior to boarding the bus at the bus stop itself, or in advance at the Tourist Information Centre where you can also deposit your luggage for a small fee if they still have available space (€3 per item; centre closes c. 18:45 most days). By other means There is a 1.5 km cable railway connecting the city of San Marino to Borgo Maggiore. Get around Map of San Marino Once you're inside the walled city, it's small enough to simply walk around. There are only a few streets on which cars are able to drive (and only if they are small cars). Talk The people in San Marino speak a very clear Italian. Also, due to the high density of Russian tourists, in a lot of shops and restaurants people speak Russian. The English language can help you get around just fine. See You can see two of the three towers (as seen on the flag of San Marino) by purchasing the "Red Card" for €4.50. The "yellow card" (€3) only allows you to see one of the towers. You cannot enter the third tower (since there does not seem to be an entrance!) One of the three towers in San Marino Simply walk around the city. The narrow streets are full of surprises. The walkways wind up and down the hillside in an interesting way, inviting exploration. TheSan Marino lake in Faetano where fish can be caught Do Get your passports stamped at the tourist information centre. This is an excellent souvenir as they stick a visa tax stamp and then an official ink stamp over the top, €5. Buy San Marino has the euro (EUR, €) as its sole currency along with 23 other countries that use this common European money. These 23 countries are: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain (official euro members which are all European Union member states) as well as Andorra, Kosovo, Monaco, Montenegro, San Marino and the Vatican which use it without having a say in eurozone affairs and without being European Union members. Together, these countries have a population of 327 million. One euro is divided into 100 cents. While each official euro member (as well as Monaco, San Marino and Vatican) issues its own coins with a unique obverse, the reverse, as well as all bank notes, look the same throughout the eurozone. Every coin is legal tender in any of the eurozone countries. A lot of the souvenir shops sell weapons, from swords to B-B guns. Like other states which have the Euro as their currency, San Marino has its own patterns on the back of the Euro coins. You can try to obtain these coins by simply going around buying things and collecting the coins that way, but a quicker solution is to buy the set in a souvenir shop. Unfortunately, these sets seem to lack the € 1 and € 2 coins. Prices for items such as disposable cameras and batteries are cheaper in San Marino than they are in Italy. This is partly because in San Marino you don't have to pay the 20% IVA (VAT) that you have to pay in Italy. Eat Obviously Italian dishes, like lasagne, spaghetti alla bolognese, gelato (Italian ice-cream), and whatever you eat in Italy. Supermarkets in San Marino are few and far-between, although the following can help in this area: Conad. Azzurro Shopping Centre, V M Moretti 23, Serravalle SM 03508 Sma Supermercati. Via del Passetto 113, Fiorentino SM Ristorante Terrazza Titano. Contrada del Collegio 31, Repubblica di San Marino La Fratta. Next to the parking lot n.6, Via Salita alla Rocca, 14, Repubblica di San Marino Drink The local beer is very tasty. Spirits are also very commonly found, especially Limoncello, a lemon liquor. Try the locally produced wine. The coffee, like in its Italian neighbour, is superb. Sleep Although San Marino has a few hotels, the seaside resort of Rimini has a lot more and is probably a cheaper option. Grand Hotel San Marino, The Grand Hotel San Marino rises on the peak of Monte Titano, close to the Rocche and the Old Town Center. With a few minutes stroll you will find yourself immersed in the rich culture and history of this city. Hotel Titano. Located right in the center of the town. The rooms are small but cozy, and it is connected to a very nice restaurant. The downside is that unless you are an early riser, the nearby church bells will ring every 15 minutes to remind you of the time starting from early in the morning.  edit Learn Work Stay safe San Marino is a safe country. Like in any other place that attracts many tourists, you should watch out for pickpockets. Stay healthy This is a very healthy place. If you become ill, procedures are the same as the European Union, although serious conditions will likely see you transferred to Rimini. Respect San Marino is a very proud country and it should be viewed in this respect. Be respectful when having photos taken with the guards, a smile will do, hand gestures/funny faces are not received well. It would be considered very offensive to call them "Italians" - not that they don't like Italians, but they are just extremely proud of their independence. Connect Cope Health care Diplomatic missions Austria Bulgaria Croatia France, , phone: + Holy See (The) (Vatican Apostolic Nunciature in San Marino), P.le Domus Plebis, ☎ +378 0549 992-448.  edit Italy, Viale A. Onofri 117, ☎ +378 0549 991-271.  edit Japan Mexico Monaco Portugal, Republica di San Marino, Via Battisti, nº 3, 40123.  edit Romania, Via Valle di Marco 4, phone: +378 0549 995-400, Fax: +378 0549 995 576 email: adolfo.morganti@libero.it Honorary Consulate General of Romania in San Marino This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!