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Smallest Country in Europe

San Marino Is the World’s Oldest Republic

San Marino
San Marino is the smallest country in Europe and the oldest republic in the world. Its history dates back more than 1,700 years. Photo: Getty Images

May 16, 2025, 12:01 pm | Read time: 4 minutes

San Marino: A Tiny Nation with a Remarkable History San Marino, a small country with an astonishing and long history, was founded as early as the fourth century. Today, it is not only the smallest country in Europe but also the oldest republic in the world. Surrounded by Italian territory, this UNESCO World Heritage site has maintained its independence to this day.

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In the interior of Italy, between the regions of Emilia-Romagna and Marche, lies a remarkable and historically rich place high on a mountain. Just about 33,000 people live here in an area of 61 square kilometers. This is the microstate of San Marino, which claims two impressive superlatives. It is not only the smallest country in Europe but also, having been founded in the fourth century, the oldest existing republic in the world. A look into its history reveals both astonishing and highly quirky facts.

Contested from the Start

It was the year 301 AD when the first people settled in what is now San Marino. According to the official website of the state, these were Saint Marinus and his followers. Fleeing from their pursuers, they chose the 739-meter-high, inaccessible Mount Titano as their new home. Of course, they could not have known that they were founding the world’s oldest republic, which has now existed for more than 17 centuries. The smallest country in Europe was first officially mentioned in the year 855 in the document Liber Pontificalis (The Book of the Popes). The rugged rock on which it is located was contested from the start.

Several rulers attempted to conquer San Marino. The country, which reached its current size in 1463, was, for example, attacked in 1503 by the powerful Borgia family, which even had a pope in Alexander VI. In 1749, San Marino was occupied for a few months by a “foreign” power. The spiritual conqueror Cardinal Giulio Alberoni could only be persuaded to withdraw by a decree from Pope Clement XII. These two events, however, were—for a long time—the only ones in the mini-country’s history where enemies crossed its borders.

No Interest in a Sea Access

Another ruler wanted to bestow a very special honor on San Marino in 1796. Emperor Napoleon himself offered the state, which he admired, the expansion of its territory to include sea access. And as incredible as it sounds, the local decision-makers actually declined this generous offer. In 1849, the small country on the large rock made headlines again when it granted political asylum to the Italian revolutionary Giuseppe Garibaldi and his comrades. Nevertheless, Italy assured the independence of the world’s oldest republic in a series of treaties starting in 1862.

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As early as 1869, San Marino made headlines as the first European country and only the third in the world to officially abolish the death penalty. Unlike Italy, it remained neutral during World War II but was targeted by a British bombing raid in 1944. In the same year, the mini-country was also briefly occupied first by the Nazis and later by the Allies. In 1981, Maria Lea Pedini was elected as the first female head of state here. San Marino joined the United Nations in 1992, and since 2002, the euro has been the official currency. In 2008, UNESCO recognized San Marino as a World Heritage site.

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Pioneer in Europe

According to the constitution from 1600, a new parliament with 60 members is elected here every five years. The two leading heads of state, the so-called capitani reggenti, are appointed every six months. Most residents live in the three cities of San Marino (the capital), Borgo Maggiore, and Serravalle. Today, alongside agriculture, tourism is increasingly the main source of income for many locals. Additionally, the smallest country in Europe has recently made a name for itself as a banking and tax haven.

On the official website, those interested can learn about the rich tourist offerings of San Marino. These include city trips as well as hiking or biking excursions into the small country’s nature. The site also promotes the regular shows and festivals held here, as well as shopping opportunities. The advertising slogan certainly piques curiosity to discover the oldest republic ever and promises “a world unique in the world.”

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of TRAVELBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@travelbook.de.

Topics Europe Italy
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