San Marino - History

In the Republic of San Marino, the veneration of the Saint who, according to legend, founded the Republic is extremely deep-rooted and widespread. The legend narrates how this master stonecutter teft his native island of Arbe in Dalmatia and came to Mount Titano to establish a small community of Christians anxious to escape the persecutions of the emperor Diocletian. What is certain is that the area bad been inhabited since prehistoric times, but the earliest definite evidence of a Monastery, a Parish Church and a Castle, which confirm the existence of an organised community on Mount Titano, only dates back to the middle-ages. At a time when the authority of the Empire was waning and the temporal power of the Pope had not yet been established, the local poputation, like those of numerous other Italian city-states, decided to give them some form of government. Hence a free city was born. And while other Italian cities each dedicated their freedom to a saint, so the small community on Mount Titano, in memory of the legendary figure of Marinus, the stone- cutter, called itself "Land of San Marino", later "Free city of San Marino" and finally "Republic of San Marino". This is how the social fabric of the Republic originated. Government was entrusted to an assembly of the heads of families called the "Arengo" presided over by a Rector. Always anxious to promote peaceful relations and goodwill, this assembly drew up and promulgated the first laws, the Statutes, inspired by the principles of democracy. As the community grew, a Captain Defender was appointed to share the responsibility of the executive with the Rector. It was only in 1243 that the first two Consuls, the Captains Regent, were elected to office for a period of six months; a twice-yearly appointment made regularly since then right up to the present day, thereby confirming the validity and efficiency of the institutions and, in particular, of the Regency. And it was thanks to the wisdom, which inspired the ancient free city of San Marino, that the community was able to overcome perilous situations and consolidate its independence. The events of history were complicated and their outcomes often uncertain. In the end though the love of freedom enabled the free city to maintain its liberty particularly significant were the disputes with the Bishops of Montefeltro who demanded the payment of a tribute. The people of San Marino however finally established their rights and achieved political and administrative emancipation. Neither were they fainthearted when it came to defending the walls of the town with their now legendary crossbows or to taking part in numerous struggles alongside the Montefeltros of Urbino, champions of the Ghibelline party. The territory of San Marino barely extended beyond Mount Titano in 1463 when the Republic entered into an alliance against Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta, Lord of Rimini who was defeated. As a reward, Pope Pius II Piccolomini gave San Marino the towns of Fiorentino, Montegiardino and Serravalle. The town of Faetano, of its own accord, joined the Republic in that same year. Since then, the size of the country has never changed. The Republic of San Marino was twice occupied by military forces, but only for a few months at a time: in 1503 by Cesare Borgia, known as Valentino, and in 1739 by Cardinal Giulio Alberoni. Freedom from Borgia came after the tyrant died, while in the case of Cardinal Alberoni, civil disobedience was used to protest against this abuse of power and clandestine messages were sent to obtain justice from the Pope who recognised San Marino's rights and restored the state of independence. In 1797, Napoleon offered gifts and friendship to San Marino and expressed the wish to extend its territorial boundaries. The people of San Marino were very grateful and honoured by such generosity, but refused with instinctive wisdom to enlarge their territory, satisfied as they were with the "status quo". In the year 1861, Abraham Lincoln showed his friendship and sympathy for San Marino when he wrote among other things to the Captains Regent ". Although your dominion is small, nevertheless your State is one of the most honoured throughout history.." San Marino boasts an exceptional tradition of hospitality. This free country has never refused asylum or help to those persecuted by misfortune or tyranny, whatever their condition or ideas. Suffice it here to mention just two of the many examples that could be quoted: in 1849, when Giuseppe Garibaldi was surrounded by three enemy armies after the fall of the Roman Republic, he found unexpected safety for himself and his surviving companions in San Marino. During the last World War, San Marino gave protection to over 100,000 refugees. Today the Republic is independent, democratic and neutral and although it continues to remain faithful to its ancient traditions, it is becoming ever more responsive to the call of progress. The historic institution of the Arengo, originally an assembly of family heads as we have already said, delegated its authority to the Great and General Council; today the Arengo is the electoral body. At Arengo meetings, usually convened twice a year (the Sunday after the investiture of the Captains Regent), the citizens of San Marino have the right to present proposals and requests of public interest to the Great and General Council. Legislative power is exercised by the Great and General Council composed of 60 members. The people elect this every five years. In particular, the Council approves the budget and nominates the Captains Regent, Heads of State and of the Executive, who have a mandate of power for six months (the investiture ceremony of the Captains Regent takes place on 1st April and 1st October every year). Executive power is divided by the State Congress composed of three Secretaries (Secretary of State for Foreign and Political Affairs - Secretary of State for Internal Affairs and Civil Defence - Secretary of State for Finance, Budget and Programming, Information and Relations with the State Philatelic and Numismatic Office) and of seven Ministers, in charge of the following Ministries: Education, Culture, University and justice - Territory, Environment and Agriculture - Health and Social Security - Trade and Relations with the "Azienda Autonoma di Stato di Produzione" and with the Town Councils - Communication, Transport, Relations with the "Azienda Autonoma di Stato" for Services, Tourism and Sport - Industry and Crafts - Labour and Cooperation. The territory of San Marino is divided into nine Townships, which correspond to the old parishes of the Republic. In every Township there is a Council chaired by a Captain, elected every five years. The Council of Twelve, elected by the Great and General Council for the duration of the Legislature, is a jurisdictional body, which also functions as a Court of Appeal in 3rd instance. Two Government Inspectors represent the State legally in financial and patrimonial question.

In 1975, the new Penal Code came into effect. Civil matters are governed by Common law, by the Statutes of 1600, and by subsequent laws or amendments. Over the past forty years, particular attention has been given to social legislation.