San Marino and The Second World War

San Marino is a tiny Republic in the middle of Italy. During World War II, it was neutral while being governed by a fascist government. It was attacked by both Germany and the Allies while taking in ten times its population in refugees. 

San Marino: Oldest Republic in the World

San Marino is the oldest Republic in the world. This is not some boast, but historical fact. The beginnings, as befits a good story, are shrouded in legend, putting the founding of the city into the hands of a saint, St Marinus. Like most of the early and many of the later Catholic saints, he is probably mythical.