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. 

Historical facts start in 885 with the judgement of Pesaro (at least I think it is Pesaro, it’s called the Feretrian Judgment, and I would locate the Feretra family as ruling house there), wherein the independence of San Marino from any outside church authority is confirmed. Pope Boniface VIII acknowledged this independence again in 1296 but included the secular independence as well. The first complete book of law still existing in San Marino dates from 1295.

San Marino was occupied several times in its history, but never for longer than a few months. It kept its independence and was also named the Peaceful Republic, as it never tried to annex any neighbouring countryside. The country is today as it was in 1463 after being gifted with three castles and grounds by the Pope. Its first constitution dates from 1600. Napoleon signed treaties with the Republic and accepted its independence never setting foot there. To the unification of Italy at the end of the 19th century, San Marino said no thank you, and remained independent.

San Marino’s inhabitants live mainly from tourism. Every year, several million tourists invade the little country. The Republic’s finances are mainly funded by yearly payments from the Italian state not to interfere with the interests of Italy in fiscal and banking matters. The Republic has absolutely no debts. Normally, San Marino is referred to as La Serenissima, the most serene. It has a small army for show purposes, but its security and defense are guaranteed by Italy.

For motor sport enthusiasts, San Marino has been on the map for several years with its Grand Prix in the Formula 1 circus. The race was taken out of the yearly calendar in 2007. There is still a Grand Prix of San Marino for motorcycles every year.

San Marino is a member of the UN. It uses the Euro as currency and even is allowed by special treaty to mint San Marino Euros. This is a holdover from the times when the Italian Lira, the Vatican Lira, and the San Marino Lira were accepted in all three countries as a matter of course. 

Further reading
Prince and People of Liechtenstein
When One Prince is Not Enough
Monaco in WWII