| Registration Classification | cultural heritage |
| Registration Criteria | (3) |
| Year of registration | 2008 |
The Republic of San Marino is the fifth smallest nation in the world. Its registered World Heritage sites include the 739-meter-high Mount Titano and the old town, which was established as a “republic” in the 13th century. And the heritage is valued for the fact that the state still exists as a republic today.
Here, a World Heritage enthusiast explains in simple terms why theSan Marino Historic Centre and Mount Titano are World Heritage sites. Read this and you will definitely learn more about San Marino!
What is the San Marino Historic Centre and Mount Titano?
San Marino is a city-state located in eastern Italy.In fact, San Marino is one of the oldest republics in the world.Italy once had many city-states, but only San Marino has survived to the present day. The state has survived through the centuries as a symbol of a free city-state, and the city represents an important stage in the development of democracy.
According to the legend of San Marino, the town began when St. Marinus holed up on Mount Titano, but the actual existence of a monastery is confirmed only from the 6th century. However, no architectural structures prior to the city-state in the 13th century have been identified.
In the center of the town, a tower, a fortress, and a gate were built in the 13th century, which is the present plot; a monastery was built in the 14th-16th century, a theater in the 18th century, and a government office (Palazzo Pubblico) in the 19th century, but few of the original forms of these buildings remain, and what remains today was restored and rebuilt from the late 19th century toWhat remains today were restored and reconstructed from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century.
The main registered properties are
Political Palace (Palazzo Pubblico)
The palace was built at the end of the 19th century in the Neo-Gothic style (Gothic Revival architecture). It is currently the political seat of the city of San Marino, and its symbol is the clock tower with a lift (corbel).
Guaita Tower
This fortress was built on the summit of Mount Titano, 739 meters above sea level, and is said to have been constructed in the 11th century and used as a prison at that time. It has been rebuilt many times since then, and the one seen today dates from the 15th century.
For what reason are San Marino Historic Centre and Mount Titano on the World Heritage List?
San Marino was recognized for the following
Registration Criteria (iii)
The point is that San Marino, as the capital of a republic that has existed since the 13th century, is a well-established democracy that is self-governed by its citizens.
Conclusions and Thoughts of a World Heritage Maniac
The old town is beautiful, and the palaces and monasteries have historical value, but what is most appreciated is that many city-states that existed in the Middle Ages still remain today.
Incidentally, for some reason, a shrine was placed in the territory of San Marino, and it was built using trees from the Ise Jingu Shrine.The shrine is surrounded by vineyards, where wine is also made. The label also depicts the shrine and is quite unique.
*The content here is a discussion derived from research conducted by World Heritage enthusiasts.As for the data, interpretation differs depending on the medium.
