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Republic of San Marino
San Marino.
Castello · At the foot of Mount Titano

Castello di
Borgo Maggiore

Borgo Maggiore is the second Castello by population of the Republic and stretches across the northern slope of Mount Titano. Historically known as Mercatale, it still hosts today Piazza Grande, the lower station of the Cableway and the most rooted traditional events of the Republic.

Residents
6.966
Surface
9,01 km²
Hamlets
6 hamlets

Data updated as of 31 March 2025 · Source: Office of Statistics of the Republic of San Marino

Palio di Don Bosco at Borgo Maggiore: young people in traditional costume during the contest
Castello · Borgo Maggiore
Palio di Don Bosco at Borgo Maggiore: young people in traditional costume during the contest
§ I — From Mercatale to Borgo Maggiore

Origins of the Castello

The village originated in the 12th century as a place of commercial exchange at the foot of the cliff and for a long time was named Mercatale, precisely for the tradition of fairs and weekly markets. The current name came into official use in 1879, when the community was recognised as the most populous and important village after the capital.

The link with the City is geographic and institutional: from the lower station the Cableway of San Marino connects Borgo to the historic centre in a few minutes, while the State hospital, the heliport (the only one in the Republic) and several government offices fall within its territory.

§ II — The territory and the curazie

Territory and borders

The Castello covers 9,01 km² and includes six curazie spread between the Ausa valley floor and the slopes of the Titano, including Cailungo (where the State hospital stands) and Valdragone. It borders six of the nine Castelli (Serravalle, Domagnano, Faetano, Fiorentino, City of San Marino and Acquaviva) as well as the Italian municipality of Verucchio.

The civic heart is Piazza Grande, which has hosted the agricultural fair and the weekly market for centuries. Onto the square open the clock tower and the Church of the Suffrage. Nearby stands the Naturalistic Centre of San Marino, dedicated to the flora and fauna of the Titano.

Summary data for the Castello di Borgo Maggiore: population, surface, borders, curazie.
Residents 6.966 (31 March 2025)
Surface 9,01 km²
Altitude about 480 m a.s.l. (centre)
Hamlets/Curazie Cailungo · Cap. Sopra and Sotto · Valdragone · Ca' Rigo · Ca' Melone · Lesignano
Borders with Serravalle, Domagnano, Faetano, Fiorentino, City of San Marino and Acquaviva
Italian municipalities Verucchio (Rimini)

Source of demographic data: Office of Informatics, Technology, Data and Statistics of the Republic of San Marino, Statistical Bulletin - Q1 2025, Table 1.7.

§ III — Palio, Cableway and tradition

Places and traditions

Each year, on the second Sunday of September, Borgo Maggiore hosts the Palio di Don Bosco: young people from the six hamlets compete in traditional contests, including the caratelle race (small handmade carts) and the climb of the greasy pole. The festival draws families and visitors from neighbouring Castelli and is one of the most cherished events in the civic calendar.

The history of the village also crosses that of the Italian Risorgimento: in 1849, in the days of the flight from Rome to the sea, Giuseppe Garibaldi stayed briefly in Borgo with Anita and part of his men, welcomed by the Sammarinese government.

Heraldic coat of arms of the Castello di Borgo Maggiore
Civic coat of arms · Castello di Borgo Maggiore
§ IV — The coat of arms

Heraldry of the Castello

The coat of arms depicts the position of the village at the foot of Mount Titano, with the clock tower in the foreground.

For more on Sammarinese heraldic symbology: flag and coat of arms of the Republic.

§ V — Further reading

Continue reading

Transport

Cableway of San Marino

The fastest connection between the valley floor and the historic centre, with the lower station right in Borgo.
History

Giuseppe Garibaldi in San Marino

The general's passage in 1849 and the role of the Republic as a place of asylum during the Risorgimento.
Institutions

Giunta di Castello

Composition, elections and role of the nine Giunte, including the one that administers Borgo.
FAQ · Useful answers

Frequently asked questions

Why is it called Borgo Maggiore?
The current name has been in use since 1879 and indicates the largest and most populous village of the Republic after the City of San Marino. Originally the Castello was called Mercatale, a name linked to the tradition of fairs and weekly markets held there since the 12th century.
When does the Palio di Don Bosco take place?
The second Sunday of September. The six hamlets of the Castello compete in traditional contests including the caratelle race and the climb of the greasy pole.
Does the Cableway depart from Borgo Maggiore?
Yes. The lower station of the Cableway is in Piazzale Cava Antica and connects Borgo to the historic centre of the City of San Marino in just over a minute. Times and fares are kept up to date by AASS, the State Public Services Authority.
Did Garibaldi really pass through Borgo Maggiore?
Yes. In the summer of 1849 Giuseppe Garibaldi crossed the territory of the Republic with Anita and his men, after the fall of the Roman Republic. The Sammarinese government granted them hospitality for several days, including a stop at Borgo Maggiore.
Where is the State hospital located?
In the hamlet of Cailungo, in Borgo Maggiore. It is the only hospital of the Republic and admits patients from all nine Castelli.