San Marino located in southern Europe on the outskirts of the Apennines is one of the oldest countries in the world, which despite being surrounded by modern Italy, and the fact that after the Vatican and Monaco is the smallest country in Europe, as a sovereign has survived to this day celebrates its patron Saint Marin.
It covers an area of 61 km2 with a population of about 35,000 and is divided into nine municipalities: San Marino (capital), Seravale, Borgo, Maggiore, Domagnano, Fiorentino, Acquaviva, Faetano, Cesanova and Montegardino.
Economy:
San Marino is one of the richest European countries and one of the few with full employment. It is in a customs and monetary union with Italy.
In the structure of GDP, the share of the service sector is 85%, industry 12%, and agriculture 3% (foreign trade and tourism account for the largest share of GDP). Famous wines, cheeses and olive oil stand out in the product offer. Since the mid-1990s, the offer of electronics and banking services has been more pronounced. Italy is the most important foreign trade partner.
Traffic:
The roads are part of the Italian road network except for the 8.9 km road (Superstrada) which connects the settlements of San Marino and Dogana. The main port is the Italian port of Rimini, and the main airport is Federico Fellini (Rimini).
Although the state has its own army, the Italian army is in charge of the eventual defense of the country.
According to legend, the founder of San Marino was at the beginning of the IV century Saint Marin (Latin Marinus, Italian Marino), also known as Marinus Dalmatinac or Marinus of Dalmatia, founder and protector of the Republic of San Marino, born in Lopar on the island of Rab.
He was a stonemason by profession, and at the time of Diocletian's persecution of Christians, he escaped in 257 with a friend in Rimini (then Arminum). They took refuge in hermit caves above the harbor.
Saint Gaudentius, Bishop of Rimini, came in contact with them, baptized them, later ordained them deacons and gave them names after two martyrs (Marino and Leone). Marin converted many Gentiles to Christianity, and in particular devoted himself to serving Christians who were condemned to forced labor because of their faith.
Because of one mentally disturbed woman who claimed to be married to him, he retired to a forest cave on the hill of Monte Titano and lived there as a hermit. He prayed fervently for the health of the sick woman, she was healed and publicly repented of her false accusations.
Felicissima, a noblewoman from Rimini, whose son St. Marin had cured of a serious illness, gave him land on the top of Monte Titano and he built a small convent there.
He founded a republic named after him, San Marino. built a small chapel which in a way was the foundation for the creation of the city of San Marino and which soon became the core of the new Christian community that will live in it, and his sermons bequeathed the freedom they managed to preserve to this day
He was buried in the small church of the Basilica of San Marino, which he built himself, and which is still located in the very center of San Marino.
After his death, he became a saint recognized first in his Christian community, and then by the Vatican itself. His memorial is also celebrated as a national holiday in San Marino. He is the protector of San Marino, stonemasons, deacons, bachelors and falsely accused people.
While the city of San Marino expanded its territory over time, creating today's Republic, it was guarded by three towers located on the peaks of Monte Tatano: Guaita, Cesta and Montale, which with their beauty but inaccessibility to the place repelled all potential invaders.
When the process of creating a unified state on the Apennine Peninsula began in the 19th century, San Marino provided refuge to those who had been persecuted for supporting unification. As a token of gratitude
the Italian unification fighter Giuseppe Garibaldi did not annex San Marino to a united Italy in 1860, allowing this small state to preserve its independence.
They say that Marino's dream is extremely beautiful, which seems to be the case with the pictures. I wish I could see him live one day.