Buzz
San Marino, snugly nestled within Italy, spans a mere 61 km² but captivates visitors with its perched towers against rocky cliffs, exuding an aura of both antiquity and grandeur, utterly captivating.
Italy is not just about the Vatican; nestled within its borders lies another intriguing nation.
San Marino may not ring a bell for those outside Europe. This petite land gains more recognition through Formula 1 and Moto GP races held in Italy but bearing San Marino's name. Yet, its three defiant towers atop Mount Titano demand attention from wandering souls.
Located northeast of Italy, San Marino is entirely enveloped by its boot-shaped neighbor. Among the world's tiniest nations at 61 km², San Marino's daily life is intimately intertwined with its 'giant neighbor.' Italy oversees its defense, essential goods are imported, and all transportation routes traverse this enclave. To reach San Marino, most tourists embark from Italy's seaside city of Rimini, just about an hour away by bus.
Although fragmented into smaller units, San Marino is chiefly known for its eponymous capital (Italian: Città di San Marino). While not large or an economic hub, this city boasts attractions that allure travelers.
Among these, three ancient towers, Guaita, Cesta, and Montale, cannot be overlooked, stretching from west to east. Perched atop Mount Titano, these towers sit at the nation's highest points, affording visitors expansive views. Constructed in the 11th, 13th, and 14th centuries respectively, they defended the city against attacks from the Malatesta family of Rimini. Pictured is the interior scene within Guaita Tower.
Before you lies not a towering block of stone commonly seen in Central and Western Europe, but a quaint little tower. Guaita, essentially a lookout tower, served as a prison until the 1970s. Its medieval charm is evident with its sturdy golden-hued stone walls. With its dual-layered walls and narrow passage enclosing a spacious garden, it exudes serenity, contrary to its historical defensive nature. Pictured is Guaita Tower as seen from Cesta Tower, a classic angle for photographers.
Right at the entrance stands the tiny Saint Barbara church. A corner of the courtyard hosts a charming bell tower rising above the city walls. Across from it stands the main tower, offering visitors a clear view of Cesta Tower. What's peculiar is the vista, seemingly transporting you to a distant mountain peak adorned with lush greenery, yet it's merely a few hundred meters away.
The narrow streets here are pedestrian-friendly, sometimes winding and adorned with characteristic European cobblestones, leading tourists to the western edge of the city where Guaita Tower stands. San Marino's city center is quite compact, unsuitable for cars.
The path from Guaita to Cesta is named the 'Witch's Walk.' The eerie path isn't due to steep inclines along the mountainside but rather the dizzying views of the two towers and the valley below.
The ascent to Cesta is lined with verdant trees. Sitting atop the highest peak of Mount Titano at 756 meters, Cesta initially appears much like Guaita, with a smaller courtyard and a pentagonal design. However, stepping through the wooden door, the weaponry museum will leave you in awe. Though not large, the museum exhibits various European armors, swords, shields, and guns spanning centuries.
Occupying roughly the first two levels of the tower, the museum allows visitors to ascend via a staircase just wide enough for one person. Reaching the tower's summit, you'll have a panoramic view of San Marino. Mountains and trees envelop the houses along the main roads. The image depicts the view of Cesta Tower from Guaita Tower.
From the top of Cesta, one can clearly discern Guaita in the quintessential image featured on every San Marino postcard. Guaita resembles a fairy-tale castle, claiming its mountaintop and challenging every gaze from the countryside hundreds of meters below. Thus, Cesta and Guaita are like 'two siblings,' perched atop the nation's rooftops, gazing at each other.
Leaving Cesta, you'll need to venture further east, descending steep steps near the forest edge to reach Montale, the third tower. This site does not permit visitor access. Unlike the other two towers, Montale is compact, only about 4m² wide and 7m high, not part of any castle-like structure. Surrounding the tower's base are numerous large stones originally intended for fortification walls.
The three main towers are must-visit destinations in San Marino. With a combination ticket priced at around 10.5 euros, visitors can explore the two major towers along with the State Museum, St. Francis Museum, and the National Palace. Don't forget, you can refund the ticket after your visit and reclaim 1.5 euros.
After leaving the three towers, visitors can leisurely stroll through the narrow alleys of the historic city center of San Marino. In just one afternoon, you can browse through souvenir shops, cafes lining the steep streets. The intriguing aspect is the abundance of souvenir shops selling weapons such as guns, swords, and knives. Additionally, due to its proximity to Italy's Misano MotoGP circuit, the city boasts many stores selling MotoGP memorabilia, especially associated with the legendary racer Valentino Rossi. Pictured is the palace, also serving as the city hall of San Marino.
There are many other places worth visiting in San Marino. You'll be impressed by the friendly demeanor of the service staff here, the smartly dressed palace guards, both solemn and endearing.
The best way to reach San Marino is by bus from the city of Rimini in Italy. With a round-trip ticket costing around 10 euros, this bus route departs from Rimini's central train station and terminates at the San Marino bus parking lot. Each journey is approximately an hour apart, and it's advisable to arrive early to avoid a 45-minute wait. If you have time, spend a day enjoying Rimini's beaches and another day exploring San Marino.
Source: Hoài Sa/Vnexpress
***
Reference: Travel guide Mytour
MytourJanuary 26, 2017
