At the get-go, it's important to say this was NOT a scheduled stop on the Grand Tour of Italy, so don't get your hopes up if you're here because you wonder what you will see if you go on this tour. This was a last-minute decision by our bus driver and guide after a long day of driving from Bari to Rimini, 563 km. Since we were so close to San Marino and had made good time, they spontaneously decided to do it!
And are we ever so glad they did!
Talk about scale. That wee dot is the size of the Republic of San Marino!
It's a country within Italy that's only 24 sq. miles with a population of ca. 33.5K.
And at only 20 km west of Rimini, it was a no-brainer.
So, yes, San Marino is a wee country within the country of Italy...
kinda like a wheel in the middle of a wheel!
In fact, "San Marino is one of the only three countries in the world to be completely surrounded
by a single other country (the others being Vatican City, also surrounded by Italy, and Lesotho.)
It is the third smallest country in Europe, with only Vatican City and Monaco being smaller.
It is also the fifth smallest country in the world." (Wiki)
The City of San Marino is the capital, sitting on the country's highest point, Monte Titano,
with the Guaita Fortress at the top. It's population is ca. 4K.
[Max Ryazanov photo]
That was our destination that late Sunday afternoon, where we had free time from 4-5:15p.m.
This was my very first shot once we got inside the walls of the capital city.
All I wanted was to look out across the countryside from which we had just slowly climbed to the top.
See what I mean?
I felt like a Peeping Tom. It was breath-taking.
We actually arrived as a festival of sorts was in its last act that Sunday afternoon.
The temptation was to linger and watch...but we only had an hour!
While others from the tour found places to celebrate Happy Hour (in a new place!),
Astrid and I walked the winding streets up and up and up...
and I mean up...
and still up...
till we reached the Guaita Fortress at the top, built in the 11th century.
There was an entrance fee to get into even the courtyard, but not to worry
because we immediately turned around to return back to where we had started in time.
Our goal was simply to get to the top, the highest point in the country, at 2,457 ft above sea level.
Back where we started, the lift on the right took us down to our awaiting bus...
but not before we checked out the Church of St. Quirino from 1549 at the end of the street...
and then grabbed an Italian gelato to share. That was OUR Happy Hour.
Want some trivia?
San Marino is one of the wealthiest and most economically stable countries in the world,
"with one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe, no national debt and a budget surplus,
and has the highest rate of car ownership, being the only country with more vehicles than people."
(Wiki)
It shouldn't surprise you that the City of San Marino and Mount Titano
became part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.
That was a fortunate side trip. I’d want to get to the top too but I don’t know that I could have done it. Well done you two. Great photos as usual.
ReplyDeleteFor all the walking you and Hubby do, Marie, I'm sure you would have been able to walk to the top, just as we did. It was totally worth it. Thank you.
DeleteI can't believe the number of photographs you captured in just an hour! And a gelato to boot. What an extraordinarily gorgeous place. Wow.
ReplyDeleteWhen and where there's a will, Ruth, there's a way, right? HA! But thanks. We even had time to smell the roses along the way. :)
DeleteIt was a "flash-visit" but we took our opportunity to see as much as possible in that one hour. I have to say that we got our exercise and pictures. Thank you for this post, you did great with the views far away. IHVJ.
ReplyDeleteAs my Partner in Crime, Astrid, I'm delighted that we're almost always on the same page about what we do with our time. It's a real joy! Thank you.
Deletefascinating! i loved this tour!
ReplyDeletewell, you know how i love all things small... why should an awesome small country be any different?
except 'the holy see'... not a fan lol
So glad you liked it, Elaine, because it really was one of our unforgettable hours on the entire trip. It really does amplify the meaning of good things coming in small packages! Thank you.
DeleteYour blog is on the side of my main blog page and I could see all the little pictures of Italy. I knew I had to wait until I had enough time to go and read each of your post, and I just did. What a trip! It was a grand tour for sure – sounded like the “grand tour” Victorians used to take to Europe. Your photos are terrific. That little town of Alberobello near Bari is certainly picturesque. The only thing I remember about San Marino is that they had wonderful collectable stamps that I collected as a teenager (the box must still be in Atlanta) so I went there because of that. Your last picture showing gelato – sigh – don’t think there is a good gelato place in Nashville – am getting gelato envy…
ReplyDeleteAfter such a tour you must have felt like culture and art overload? I felt like that in Pisa and Florence and I was only there one week. Because of my husband’s illness I have not traveled the last 3 years or so and am thinking about a nice trip for my birthday next March. A bus tour is tempting, but hard to find from the US, also pricing is usually per couple, and a solo traveler may have to pay 100% more, so I am still thinking. You went to such a variety of lovely places that will stay with you forever. I am pleased to have looked at everything.
Bless you dear Vagabond for stopping by and reading all about our Italy tour. I can just imagine how much you would want to travel again!!! We had 3 women on our tour who traveled alone (with separate rooms) but I do NOT believe they had to pay as though they were a couple. Please check that out!
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