A Trip to San Marino, the World’s Oldest Surviving Republic

An effort to know more about the microstate’s diverse history

Vickey Maverick.
Teatime History

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La Guaita is the oldest and largest of the three towers in San Marino [Photo: ©Vickey Maverick.]

I have wanted to visit San Marino for as long as I can remember. Every time I came across a documentary related to the microstate, I was intrigued. I have long wanted to explore this tiny, mountainous country and dive deep into its history and topography. Unfortunately, all my previous attempts came to naught.

On this occasion, though, I was not to be denied. At long last, I was on my way to San Marino. While the trip was well on schedule, some planning was required beforehand. I knew day-trippers primarily frequented this microstate and wanted enough time to experience and understand it.

I wasn’t too keen on a day trip per se. It had to be a little more elaborate and planned so that the crowds could be avoided significantly, if not entirely. As such, the idea to avoid heading to the historic Centro Storico (Old Town) was deliberate and, to a considerable extent, a smart move, as I would realize later.

I decided to spend some time exploring the municipalities of Dogana and Borgo Maggiore first, talking to locals and getting an idea of the country’s history and the places to visit. The former is the largest settlement in the landlocked country, while the latter is the…

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Vickey Maverick.
Teatime History

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