The Republic of San Marino, founded, according to tradition, in 301 a.C. is now 1,700 years old.

The Republic is small, its territory is partially hilly and generally poor, few people lived here and they were rather poor. It is structured according to its own regulations and its own individual institutions which regulate or control a democratic life in its aspects of everyday life and international participation. In this era of drastic changes and of many uncertainties, what is more unusual than a small country that manages to remain alive, still healthy and free against the arrogance of the strongest and the violation of rights? From the top of the Towers or the large square that looks down on the Pubblico Palazzo, with its fascinating light elevations from Montefeltro and the greenery of the beautiful Adriatic, we can see 1,700 years of history of a community that is strong within its small boundaries and in its small population. It feels strong due to a message that it can transmit to those who need certainties and trust in a difficult time: power and strength do not necessarily mean supremacy: war is not unavoidable; peace is always possible; agreement between few or many citizens is based on good laws and on their respect. From the walls of San Marino, from the official Buildings, from the rhythmic step of the military band on parade, from the ancient ceremonies that are renewed with the same ritual and the same severity, from the 'Balesterieri' and the 'Sbandieratori' who use their instruments as they used to do in the past, this message is always available, the important thing is to know how to listen to it.

There are definitely many valid reasons to visit San Marino, millions of visitors visit it every year: the Republic has therefore become not only one of the smallest States in the world, the oldest Republic in Europe, but also the State that, in proportion to the number of inhabitants, welcomes the largest number of visitors.

[Source: www.cattolica.info]