TODAY IN HISTORY: The Founding of San Marino (Sept. 3, 301 AD)

On this day in 301 AD, San Marino, one of the world’s smallest and oldest republics, was founded by a stonemason named Marinus from the island of Rab, located in present-day Croatia. Marinus fled persecution and sought refuge in the Apennine Mountains, where he established a small Christian community. This would eventually grow into the nation known as the Republic of San Marino, located within modern-day Italy.

San Marino is entirely landlocked and enveloped by Italy, occupying a rugged, mountainous area that has protected it from various invasions and allowed it to maintain its independence for centuries. Remarkably, it’s the oldest constitutional republic still in existence, with a unique governing structure that dates back to its first constitution in 1600. This ancient document laid the foundations for San Marino’s democratic governance and is still in use today, a testament to the resilience and autonomy of this microstate.

Though San Marino is not a member of the European Union, it shares close economic and cultural ties with Italy and Europe at large. Despite its small population of around 29,000, San Marino is known for its wealth, boasting one of the highest GDP per capita rankings in the world. The country’s economy is heavily supported by tourism, which accounts for nearly half of its GDP. Each year, around 3 million tourists visit San Marino, drawn by its medieval architecture, stunning landscapes, and historical sites like the Three Towers of San Marino, which overlook the surrounding countryside.