Did you ever watch those romantic comedies on Netflix, where an everyday woman who is a reporter, hairdresser, or pr person happens to stumble upon meeting a prince of a picturesque land you never heard of? The film captures the atmosphere as charming and quaint, and you wonder does this place even exist?
Oftentimes, as an American I envision going to a European city to find a hidden castle and lush land, maybe even a prince. I visit these places, and although they are interesting, I am tiny bit disappointed. Those locations are not always what I imagine a kingdom to be. I didn’t know what to expect when I arrived in San Marino, but I was sure that San Marino was a land of fairytales.
Top 10 Reasons San Marino is a Land of Fairytales
1.Butterflies
Everywhere I went there seems to be butterflies soaring around me, I couldn’t help but wonder is this where butterflies head on their days off from the Italian countryside. The only other place where I witnessed butterflies dancing was on the Camino de Santiago, a special place of pilgrimage. I tried to take photos or videos of these butterflies, but it was as if they were playing hide and seek with me. Having them walk along my path throughout the day, reminded me to be present, and take in the wonder.
2. The Public Palace
This parliament building is picturesque with guards in old time clothes doing duty at the front doors. But these guards aren’t as strict as those in other countries, they lean versus having erect postures. They say “ariverdeci” when you leave the building. They are progressive, as I even saw a female guard entering the building when I left. In addition, the council room is a stunning masterpiece, with mythological characters on every wall. I wouldn’t mind working and daydreaming here. An additional interesting fact, the leader of parliament changes every 6 months to ensure nobody has too much power.
3. Tower 1
This place was stunning with Game of Throne style views everywhere you turn. As you climb the tower walls, Tower 2 peaks in the background. Although this was a place that held prisoners, it seemed to catapult you to another world, as staff played mesmerizing classical music to send you back in time.
4. Esoteric Stores
The first store I walked into had images and statues for sale of Egyptian gods and goddesses, the Green Man, Celtic and Nordic Symbols, pendulums, and numerous crystals. I thought I had stumbled to the one and only store in this town, but there were many that sold crystals, mala bracelets, and even various tarot cards.
5. Fairys, Black Cats, Knights Templar, and Fortuna
It seemed as if every other tourist shop sold these fairytale like images and statues. I knew as one walked the earth here you felt, as if you were stepping into a Disney film. But I couldn’t help but question if there was another reason why all these images were sold here. Was there magic that once existed in this area? Tourists felt it when they came here and gravitated towards buying these trinkets. But did other entities have a connection here decades before?
6. Swords and Shields
I wasn’t clear why there were so many stores that sold guns, swords, and shields. I am a peaceful person, not into any of this paraphernalia. But I was curious if young men who visited here, felt pulled to harness their inner King Arthur. The store owners didn’t want to leave out young girls, because there were toy shields that had a unicorns as crests that were available for purchase.
7. The Woods
If you stepped outside of the tourist area, and allowed yourself to wander, you would find beautiful trees that surrounds the grounds. Although this land was small, there was refuge to be found under the shade of the trees. As I walked through them, I looked up at the looming towers above, signifying greatness. I felt as if I was walking on mystical land, as I passed by butterflies before I took the cable car up to the top of the town. There were tunnels in the woods, that a small trolley drove through. The area once had a train that went from Rimini to San Marino, but was destroyed during World War II. It was also at that time, that these tunnels served as hiding spots for families escaping Italy. What happened to those families? How did the tunnels and the surrounding woods care for them during those strenuous times?
8. Dogs
San Marino is extremely dog friendly. It surprised me that people brought a dog onto a bus from Rimini to San Marino. Families didn’t want to leave their pets at home, as they knew their dogs would enjoy the wonder of this land as well. As a dog owner, I know I am biased but the abundance of dogs added to the magic here.
9. Affordability
Everything seems affordable in San Marino, at least on my one day trip. Prices are low due to the decreased taxes. In addition, I had a several course fancy meal, with a large bottle of sparkling water, overlooking the beauty of the kingdom for 25 euros. I decided to splurge and eat several courses for lunch, even if I was alone. I could have spent hours looking out onto the scenic views from my table. Every morsel was delicious, particularly these potatoes that were buttered to perfection.
10. You Feel Like Royalty
Wherever you walked at the top of San Marino, you felt regal. One couldn’t help but look out onto the Italian countryside, and be enamored by the view. With each step you took, regardless if the road was going uphill or downhill, you couldn’t help but gasp at the views. There were tourists, but it wasn’t overcrowded. And for a moment, you could feel that maybe in another lifetime you ruled the land here.
For those interested in coming here, it is 90 minute drive from Bologna. I rarely drive overseas, therefore I took a 90 minute air conditioned train ride from Bologna Centrale to Rimini. The cost was 10.80 euros each way. From Rimini, across the train station, you can buy bus tickets from Rimini to San Marino. Tickets are 6 euros each way, but a special existed for 20 euros, which also included a one way cable car ticket and a trolley ride. To find out more, check out this website www.bytrainsanmarino.com
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