San Marino

10th anniversary of the “Flight of the Flag” - Secretariat of State for Foreign and Political Affairs
The 10th anniversary of the “Flight of the Flag” was celebrated today with an Audience granted by Their Excellencies the Captains Regent, Rosa Zafferani and Federico Pedini Amati.
On 28 May 1998 a Flag left from San Marino on a helicopter to be embarked upon the Discovery Space Shuttle. The Flag flew in Space from 2 to 12 June with the Mission STS-91 commanded by astronaut Charlie Precourt.
It was a prestigious event attracting positive attention on San Marino which aimed at launching a message of peace and friendship among the peoples in the tradition and culture of San Marino. The event was celebrated by a successful philatelic emission, the images of which were provided to NASA. “This was an event that launch a wave of interest by young San Marino people in this fascinating sector of human science and research” the Captains Regent said. After this first experience with Space a European Foundation for Space was established and the Republic of San Marino contributed to its establishment as a Founding member, with the purpose to inform young people about the opportunities of this field.
“The Foundation has provided many opportunities in the framework of the relations between San Marino and the American Space Agency” Secretary Stolfi said “ I hope that the friendship with NASA in the framework of the excellent relations with the United States of America, may offer more opportunities to our young people for study in this fascinating field”.
At the end of the Audience the Captains Regent were delivered a book on the Space Shuttle written by a young engineer, Mr. Giorgio Chiaruzzi, who was one of the students awarded by the Foundation with a scholarship to NASA.
The closing salute was delivered by a flight of aircrafts on Liberty Square organised by the San Marino Aeroclub.
San Marino, 28 May 2008

The Republic of San Marino

History
In the Republic of San Marino, the veneration of the Saint who, according to legend, founded the Republic, is extremely deep-rooted and widespread. The legend narrates how this master stone-cutter left his native island of Arbe in Dalmatia and came to Mount Titano to establish a small community of Christians anxious to escape the persecutions of the emperor Diocletian. What is certain is that the area had been inhabited since prehistoric times, but the earliest definite evidence of a Monastery, a Parish Church and a Castle, which confirm the existence of an organised community on Mount Titano, only dates back to the middle-ages. At a time when the authority of the Empire was waning and the temporal power of the Pope had not yet been established, the local population, like those of numerous other Italian city states, decided to give themselves some form of government. Hence a free city was born. And while other Italian cities each dedicated their freedom to a saint, so the small community on Mount Titano, in memory of the legendary figure of Marinus, the stone-cutter, called itself “Land of San Marino”, later “Free city of San Marino” and finally “Republic of San Marino”. This is how the social fabric of the Republic originated. Government was entrusted to an assembly of the heads of families called the “Arengo” presided over by a Rector. Always anxious to promote peaceful relations and goodwill, this assembly drew up and promulgated the first laws, the Statutes, inspired by the principles of democracy. As the community grew, a Captain Defender was appointed to share the responsibility of the executive with the Rector. It was only in 1243 that the first two Consuls, the Captains Regent, were elected to office for a period of six months; a twice-yearly appointment made regularly since then right up to the present day, thereby confirming the validity and efficiency of the institutions and, in particular, of the Regency. And it was thanks to the wisdom which inspired the ancient free city of San Marino that the community was able to overcome perilous situations and consolidate its independence. The events of history were complicated and their outcomes often uncertain. In the end though the love of freedom enabled the free city to maintain its liberty. Particularly significant were the disputes with the Bishops of Montefeltro who demanded the payment of a tribute. The people of San Marino however finally established their rights and achieved political and administrative emancipation. Neither were they fainthearted when it came to defending the walls of the town with their now legendary crossbows or to taking part in numerous struggles alongside the Montefeltros of Urbino, champions of the Ghibelline party. The territory of San Marino barely extended beyond Mount Titano in 1463 when the Republic entered into an alliance against Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta, Lord of Rimini who was defeated. As a reward, Pope Pius II Piccolomini gave San Marino the towns of Fiorentino, Montegiardino and Serravalle. The town of Faetano, of its own accord, joined the Republic in that same year. Since then, the size of the country has never changed. The Republic of San Marino was twice occupied by military forces, but only for a few months at a time: in 1503 by Cesare Borgia, known as Valentino, and in 1739 by Cardinal Giulio Alberoni. Freedom from Borgia came after the tyrant died, while in the case of Cardinal Alberoni, civil disobedience was used to protest against this abuse of power and clandestine messages were sent to obtain justice from the Pope who recognised San Marino’s rights and restored the state of independence. In 1797, Napoleon offered gifts and friendship to San Marino and expressed the wish to extend its territorial boundaries. The people of San Marino were very grateful and honoured by such generosity, but refused with instinctive wisdom to enlarge their territory, satisfied as they were with the “status quo”
In the year 1861, Abraham Lincoln showed his friendship and sympathy for San Marino when he wrote among other things to the Captains Regent “Although your dominion is small, nevertheless your State is one of the most honoured throughout history..” San Marino boasts an exceptional tradition of hospitality. This free country has never refused asylum or help to those persecuted by misfortune or tyranny, whatever their condition or ideas. Suffice it here to mention just two of the many examples that could be quoted: in 1849, when Giuseppe Garibaldi was surrounded by three enemy armies after the fall of the Roman Republic, he found unexpected safety for himself and his surviving companions in San Marino. During the last World War, San Marino gave protection to over 100,000 refugees.
Today the Republic is independent, democratic and neutral, and although it continues to remain faithful to its ancient traditions, it is becoming ever more responsive to the call of progress.

Geography
In the search of a vision and great emotions.
The territory of San Marino (61 sq. km) is mostly hill country, roughly square-shaped with Mount Titano in the centre (lat. 43°, 56’, 06’’ - long. east of Greenwich 12°, 26’, 56’’ - 750 metres a.s.l. and 10 km as the crow flies from the Adriatic Coast). It borders on two Italian regions, Emilia Romagna to the north-east and Marche Montefeltro to the south-west.
In whatever part of the territory you go, in particular at the peak of its mountain (750 meters high), your gaze is lost over a unique, dazzling panorama: the fertile soils of Emilia Romagna and the soft rolling hills of the Marche and Montefeltro, and on to dip into the placid Adriatic sea.

How to reach San Marino
The Republic of San Marino is located in Central Italy, 10 km far from the Adriatic Sea; road connections with Italy only.
• MOTORWAY - A14 Bologna - Ancona
• DUAL CARRIAGEWAY - Rimini-San Marino from the A-14
Rimini-Sud motorway exit.
• ”Marecchiese” n°258 from the A14 Rimini Nord motorway exit
• RIMINI RAILWAY STATION
buses from Rimini to San Marino, call center Trenitalia 892021
• INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS
Fellini Airport Rimini-San Marino 27 km - Forlì 72 km - Bologna 132 km.

International Area Code
+ 378 (for fixed telephone numbers)
+ 39 (for mobile numbers)

Tourist information

State Office of Tourism
Tel. (+) 378 0549 882410 / 882998
E-mail: info@visitsanmarino.com

For Hotel bookings:
CONSORZIO SAN MARINO 2000 s.r.l.
Via Piana 103 - 47890 San Marino
Tel. (+378) 0549/995031 fax (+378) 0549/990573
E-mail: info@sanmarino2000.sm
Web site: www.sanmarino2000.sm

Airports
Rimini-San Marino International Airport 'Federico Fellini'
Telephone Information: Tel. (+) 39 0541 715711
(San Marino 25 Km.)
G. Marconi Airport - Bologna
Telephone Information: Tel. (+) 39 0541 6479615
(San Marino 135 Km.)
Ancona Falconara Airport
Telephone Information: Tel. (+) 39 071 2827491
(San Marino 130 Km.)
L. Ridolfi Airport - Forlì
Telephone Information: Tel. (+) 39 0543 474990/991/910
(San Marino 72 Km.)