Historical centre, San Marino

Favorite thing: The square in front of Palazzo Pubblico has been called Pianello or Piazza della Libertà. Under it there is an antique system of cisterns connected together for the collection of rain water, once used as a water reserve for the citizens of San Marino.
In the center of the square stands the Statue of Liberty made by sculptor Galletti and was donated to San Marino in 1876.
In front of the Government palace stands the ex postal building on the foundations of the Parva Domus of the commune of the XIV century.

Favorite thing: The building that is today one of the little Republic's symbols, stands on the place where years ago was established the old Palace, called Domus Magna Comunis, that was built at the end of the XIV centuries.
The new Palazzo Pubblico or Palazzo Governativo, was built between 1884 and1894 by the architect Francesco Azzurri, following the style of the Comunal Palaces of the XIII and XIV centuries. The Palace is today hosts the official ceremonies of the Republic and is the seat of the main istitutional and administrative organs as i Capitani Reggenti, Il Consiglio Grande e Generale, ll Congresso di Stato and Il Consiglio dei XII. The façade, white and quite simple, is made of sandstone and constellated by a huge variety of "shields" that represent the influence of the most important Italian lineages ( Visconti, Montefeltro, etc.).

Favorite thing: San Marino is surrounded by three lots of town-walls and three towers, constructed at different times and in a large part demolished to permit the continual expansion of the city. Every tower has its own name. In this picture you can imagine how the walls are, looking at the piece of walls that connects the second tower, called "La Cesta" or "Fratta", to the firdt one called "La Rocca" or "Guaita". Close to the second tower you will find a big parking area; from there you can easily go up to the Rocca.

Favorite thing: Feel the cosmopolitic scent of San Marino.

Fondest memory: Despite of its proud independent history, nowadays San Marino is very tourist-oriented, and hence, the cosmopolitic republic. Although Italian Lires are official monetary unit in San Marino, the local law does not set an Italian VAT. So, prices in all the shops are lower than in neighbour Italian towns (well, Rimini is the nearest one). As a consequence, San Marino is crowded by souvenir shops and all kinds of restaraunts as well as by tourist groups. You can speak any language in most of shops. This is not limited by Italian, French, English and Spanish. Russian, Polish, Ukrainian, Dutch, Lithuanian and other languages are often understood. You can also restaurants of different cousines. For example, I visited a Polish restaurant after I get cold (yes, it is possible on a day like that I was there, especially if you are dressed for a sunny day, like you used to, being in Italy in August)

Favorite thing: Walk on its streets, not just souvenirs and other shops that are plenty these places. Medieval walls, narrow spiraled streets - everything is fine and pleasant.

Fondest memory: Look at this town-wall. It looks like a bastion, a dungeon. Actually, it is (or was, if someone is an eagerly modern-minded person) a bastion.

Favorite thing: Walk on the ramparts. Its good for culture and for ... the health.

Favorite thing: Admire the Towers called feathers (Penne in Italiano)

Fondest memory: San Marino by night is an experience... here at Piazza della Libertà.