San Marino Foundation Day 2027
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About the event
Why San Marino celebrates 3 September San Marino celebrates its Foundation Day on 3 September — the feast day of Saint Marinus, a stonemason from the island of Rab (in modern Croatia) who founded a small Christian community on the top of Monte Titano in 301 AD.
The Palio delle Balestre — medieval crossbow competition between the fortresses of San Marino, held on Foundation Day.
Why this day
San Marino celebrates its Foundation Day on 3 September — the feast day of Saint Marinus, a stonemason from the island of Rab (in modern Croatia) who founded a small Christian community on the top of Monte Titano in 301 AD. According to tradition, Marinus built a small chapel on the mountain and established a religious community that gradually became an independent state.
San Marino claims to be the world's oldest republic and the world's oldest surviving sovereign state. Its constitution of 1600 — the Leges Statutae Republicae Sancti Marini — is one of the world's oldest written national constitutions still in use. Despite being completely surrounded by Italy, San Marino has maintained its independence for over 1700 years.
Foundation Day is a colourful medieval celebration. Archers in historical costume perform crossbow tournaments in Piazza della Libertà. A medieval pageant with flag-waving, drumming and period costumes processes through the historic centre. The two captains regent — San Marino's co-heads of state, elected every six months — attend the ceremony in full historical regalia.
Timeline
- 301Stonemason Marinus founds a Christian community on Monte Titano
- 1600San Marino adopts its Statutes — one of the world's oldest written constitutions
- 1992San Marino joins the United Nations
Key figures
Stay for the event
Check-in 2 Sep, check-out 4 Sep 2026 — 2 nights around 3 September 2026. Change the dates to stay longer.
AREA
Find stays in San MarinoHost country
- Currency: euro
- Language: Italian
- Driving: on the right
- Capital: City of San Marino
- Phone: +378
- Emergency: 112
- Electricity: 230 V, 50 Hz, plugs C/F/L
What to eat
San Marino's signature wafer cake layered with hazelnut cream and coated in chocolate.
Borlotti beans slow-cooked with pork rinds and tomato — a mountain Italian classic.
Thin flatbread filled with squacquerone cheese, rocket and prosciutto — the Romagnolo staple.
Egg pasta with slow-cooked meat sauce — the Emilian tradition shared by San Marino.
Dense cake made with figs, anise and cornmeal — a traditional San Marinese dessert.
Fried dough balls with raisins and pine nuts — eaten at festivals and the Foundation Day market.
What to drink
San Marino's local herbal liqueur — an anise-based digestif.
The grape of Romagna — San Marino produces its own Sangiovese wine from hillside vineyards.
Red wine from the nearby Piacenza hills — consumed across the Emilia region including San Marino.
Culture & traditions
The Palio delle Balestre — medieval crossbow competition between the fortresses of San Marino, held on Foundation Day.
Guaita, Cesta and Montale — the three medieval towers on Monte Titano visible from across the Romagna plain.
San Marino elects two new co-heads of state every six months — the investiture ceremony is held in the Council chamber.
The Gothic government palace in Piazza della Libertà — the symbolic heart of San Marino's republic.
Coming years
San Marino Foundation Day 2028
- Sunday 3 September 2028Next event date
San Marino Foundation Day 2029
- Monday 3 September 2029Event date
San Marino Foundation Day 2030
- Tuesday 3 September 2030Event date