San Marino: a stone fairy tale
“Size matters” – this is exactly the thought that arises when you get to know and study in detail the vast expanses of Russia with its impenetrable Ural taiga, the scorching sun of the Kalmyk steppes, the piercing wind of the northern seas and the beauty of Kamchatka volcanoes. Evaluating the tiny republic of San Marino, located in the very center of Italy, even using the most detailed map, is an extremely dreary and absolutely meaningless task, since not a single reference book can convey even a hundredth of the magnificence of the rocky mountains, the attractiveness of the cloudless sky resting on the back of the head and barely guessing in the light haze of the Adriatic Sea.
The best (and only public) way to get to the miniature state is a comfortable bus from Rimini train station, which runs every one and a half to two hours. The cost of round-trip tickets is about 10 euros, the duration does not exceed 40 minutes, during which you can fully enjoy not only the landscapes of the foothills, but also the unhurried life of local residents.
For those who wish to fully plunge into the life of the oldest republic in the world, I recommend leaving the bus a couple of stops before the final one, when the road just begins to actively wind up - here you can wander along the narrow streets, and do the rest of the way on the funicular. The main attractions of the miniature state are located on the very top of Mount Titano at an altitude of about 800 meters, where there are three royally beautiful fortresses - La Rocca, Chesta and Montale.
The complex of fortifications and medieval prisons (now museums) fit so harmoniously into the landscape of these places that walking along them is a real pleasure for connoisseurs of historical architecture monuments. The thrill of sensations is added by the fact that many hundreds of years ago the towers and walls served as protection against regular encroachments on the freedom of the descendants and followers of the founder of the Republic of St. Marin.
Slowly climbing up the cozy winding streets, every second you can see the degree of respect of the inhabitants of San Marino for their centuries-old history - private and municipal houses in an ideally clean condition, and from their open terraces a stunning view of the foothills opens up, where life froze like in a painting by an Italian artist.
The road from the final stop of the bus to the first fortress will take no more than fifteen minutes, but even here it will not do without surprises. Along the entire route, at short intervals, there are... shops for the Russian-speaking population, offering a wide range of goods and clothing. I believe that such an unusual place for business by immigrants from Russia was chosen for two intertwined reasons: San Marino has very low taxes on trade, which attracts shoppers from the CIS countries; in turn, tourists from the post-Soviet space are not averse to combining a quality vacation with the opportunity to "shop out".
La Rocca impresses with its grandeur and architectural perfection. Situated on the edge of a cliff, the fortress is the center of the first line of many kilometers of defensive walls that penetrate Mount Titano through and through. Among other things, La Rocca is also the oldest fortress in San Marino - the beginning of its construction dates back to the 11th century, which in no way affected its excellent condition.
Following a narrow path along the fortress wall along the edge of the cliff, you can reach the second tower - Chesta, which is in no way inferior to the first in elegance, but at the same time is the highest fortress in the world. Perhaps, it is from here that the most bewitching and memorable view of the surroundings opens, and it is here that without wasting empty words on expressing emotions, you can simply enjoy the fact of your presence in this wonderful place.
The third tower (Montale), compared to the previous two, does not arouse such a lively interest among tourists, and to be honest, few reach it, because the fortress is at a respectful distance. A small number of visitors and, as a result, stalls with souvenirs made it possible to preserve the spirit of ancient times here, when the approaches to it were carefully guarded, and inside the tower in a dungeon carved into the rock, prisoners and captives languished awaiting their fate. To complete the experience, it should be noted that on the one hand the tower is protected by a steep cliff, and on the other - by a dense forest, therefore it is almost impossible to get here in other ways.
In conclusion, I want to share with readers a few considerations that may help you feel more comfortable in San Marino. Even if you are traveling in the warm season, I recommend taking outerwear with you - it can be quite cool in the mountains, and the wind can bring a lot of discomfort. Going on the road (there or back), it is advisable to arrive at the bus stop 20 minutes in advance, since the number of people who wish sometimes exceeds the transport capacity of the bus. The most favorable time for sightseeing is from noon until the last bus, since most tourist groups and schoolchildren come here early in the morning, and you will have a great chance to walk in almost alone. Another nuance, which was briefly mentioned above, is reasonable prices for perfumes and clothes, if you belong to the category of shopaholics, then you can find many interesting options here. Well, in conclusion, the last advice - if you have the opportunity to visit San Marino, be sure to use it - the local beauties will not leave indifferent even the callous urban hypocrite!
