San Marino is one of the smallest states on Earth (after Monaco and the Vatican) and the oldest state of Europe, surrounded on all sides by the territory of Italy. In the north-east the country borders with the Emilia-Romagna region, in the south-west - with the Marche region. The territory of San Marino consists of 9 ancient fortresses (or city-communes), including the capital of the same name, which appeared on the site of the first settlements: Akkuaviva, Borgo Maggiore, Domagnano, Kyesanuova, Montejardino, Serravalle, Faetano, Fiorentino.
The legendary foundation of San Marino dates back to the beginning of the IV century. According to legend, in 301, a member of one of the first Christian communities with the Rab Islands in the Adriatic Sea (the territory of modern Croatia) Kamenotos Marin and his friends found refuge in the Apennines, on top of Monte Titano. He opened the quarry in the mountain, and then, seeking solitude, he built himself a small cell on top of it and withdrew from the world. The glory of his holy life attracted crowds of worshipers to him, and soon a small monastery was formed near his cell. This monastery, named for its founder, Saint Marina, undoubtedly existed at the end of the 6th century and lived an independent life, independent of any politician from any of the neighbors. Formally, San Marino is considered an independent state since September 3, 301. VI century, when Italy broke up into many dependent and independent territories. In the first centuries of its existence, San Marino was under the protectorate of the neighboring duchy of Urbino, but in 855 it gained independence. Heads of state are traditionally the two captains-regent (Italy, Capitani Reggenti), elected for six months. San Marino is often called the oldest republic of the planet.
October 8, 1600 adopted the constitution.
During the First World War, the Republic of San Marino became an ally of the Entente.
During the Second World War, the republic remained neutral, despite close cooperation with the Italian fascists. June 26, 1944 British aircraft bombed the territory of a dwarf state, based on erroneous intelligence data that San Marino was taken by German troops and used them as a supply base. At the same time, Britain did not formally declare war on the republic. However, in September of the same year, San Marino was indeed occupied for a short time by the Germans, and in the same month, British troops had to release a dwarf state during the Battle of Monte Pulito.
In 1951, the government of San Marino decided to open a casino and build a powerful television and radio station. Italy protested and announced the blockade of San Marino. The small state had to yield. In 1953, an agreement was signed between Italy and San Marino, which prohibited San Marino on its territory to create gambling establishments, as well as television and radio stations. Only in 1987 Italy allowed San Marino to create its own television center and even allocate a loan for its construction and maintenance.
