The smallest independent state

San Marino is the smallest independent state in the world. Regardless of this, he has his own army, the state border, even his own calendar, he does not depend on the rest of Europe. His story, he counts from the day when it was founded, was San Marino, and therefore now in the country the seventeenth century.

In San Marino, the capital has the same name as the state itself and the capital is located on a cliff that resembles a huge ship. From the cliff view, fascinating opens, after all, Italy is spread out. The rock is called Titano, it has several legends of origin.

As one of the legends says, Zeus fought against the Titans in ancient times. And one day without a long thought, he snatched a huge rock, in one of the battles and flung the rock at the attacker. Naturally, the enemy came to an end and was buried forever under a block of heavy stone. There is, however, the version and much simpler: Zeus turned, the attacking titan in the rock.

Interesting story of the name of the country. She says that for a long time in the 4th century there used to be some kind of stonemason Marinus, he was a convinced Christian. Not all, however, suited his sincere faith, especially this fact, unsettled the Emperor Diocletian. And so, in order to escape from the persecution of religious ones in one day of 301, Marinus had to flee to Italy from his native Dolmatia.

When he arrived at his destination, he was confident that on an uninhabited and such a high rock hardly anyone would find him, climbed onto the petrified titan. His expectations, however, were only partly justified, since this rock belonged at that time to the Roman landowner and matron Felicissim. And somehow strolling through her possessions, she discovered Marinus. When they talked, then without hesitation, the rock gave a new acquaintance, since Felicissima was also a Christian convinced. There he settled, and soon the fate of Marinus changed, thus, that even during his lifetime he was recognized as a saint and was canonized. A lot of people came to see him, many in the neighborhood remained, started families, built houses.

In the end, the settlements grew so much that existed already in the 9th century, a completely civil society formed. Then a document appeared, which is a prototype of the modern Constitution. He was then called "The Forensic Literature of Ferretano", he regulated the life of his community, which was based on self-government, and not based on the tyranny of the Italian neighboring feudal lords. From here you can call San Marino the oldest European republic.

San Marino throughout his life tried to deprive him of his independence many times. More than once the tyrants of Italy infringed upon the fertile lands, encroached, the rulers of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and encroached, even the Pope. But the state, however, never yielded, neither to persuasion, nor to threats. Strong defensive structures were built, thanks to them, the inhabitants of this small country were successfully defeating the conquerors. So far, San Marino has been surrounded by three fortresses - Montale, Chest and Guaita, they are joined together by walls, which intertwine through the country.

Only 60 kilometers from San Marino. But in addition to the capital, there are others in the country of the city: Serravalle, Domagnano, Fiorentino, Faetano ... But they, however, are more like villages than cities. The small state and small towns

At present, San Marino is just packed with tourists, began to turn into a tourist center. Tourists buy "originals" of medieval relics, souvenirs.