THE ROAD TO SAN MARINO
Written by MOTORBIKE EUROPE Road Writers -
San Marino is an enclave of Italy, with an entire area of 61 km², bordering Emilia-Romagna and Marche, on the Adriatic coast near Rimini. The small mountain range of the Apennines is dominant at San Marino, and has a very uneven terrain. The highest point in the country, in the peaks of Monte Titano, is situated 749m above sea level.
San Marino is the third smallest country in Europe, and only Vatican City and Monaco are smaller. San Marino is apparently the oldest surviving sovereign state and constitutional republic in the world, as the continuation of the monastic community founded in 301, by stonecutter Marinus of Arbe.
San Marino remained neutral throughout the two world wars, and is not a current member of the European Union, but uses the Euro, as its currency, facilitating foreign trade, and sustaining the country's very stable banking industry.
San Marino has one of the world's smallest military forces, part of which is the Crossbow Corps, a ceremonial force of approximately eighty volunteers. Its uniform is medieval in design, and although a statutory military unit, it has no military function today. Since 1295, the Crossbow Corps has provided demonstrations of crossbow shooting at festivals.
On top of the mountain cliff Monte Titano, lies the fortress of La Guaita. San Marino is one of the oldest republics in the world, and the first constitution dates back to the year 1263.
San Marino is known for its Formula 1 racing, the Grand Prix di San Marino, which, since 1980, has been held on the first Sunday in May, at the Imola circuit near Milan. In this way, Italy has two Grand Prix races.
