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Republic of San Marino
San Marino.
Castello · Northern gateway of the Republic

Castello di
Serravalle

Serravalle is the most populous Castello of San Marino and the northern gateway of the Republic. Its territory, divided into eight curazie, gathers Dogana (the largest inhabited centre of the State), the national sports facilities and the Rovereta industrial area.

Residents
11.237
Surface
10,53 km²
Hamlets
8 curazie

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

San Marino Stadium in Serravalle, side view of the main pitch
Castello · Serravalle
San Marino Stadium in Serravalle
§ I — From Castrum Olnani to Serravalle

Origins of the Castello

The Castello was originally called Olnano, or Castrum Olnani, and served as a stronghold of the Malatesta of Rimini. It joined Sammarinese territory in 1463, at the end of the war of Pius II against Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta. The current name literally means that closes the valley, recalling the geographic position where the last hills of the Ausa open onto the Romagna plain.

The curazia of Dogana is the main entrance to the Titano: from the dual carriageway arriving from Rimini one crosses the Ponte di Confine with its famous inscription «Welcome to the ancient land of liberty». For years part of the citizenry of Dogana has supported the request to constitute itself as an autonomous Castello, but the Istanze d'Arengo presented to the Great and General Council have not so far been accepted.

§ II — Eight curazie and a sixth of the country

Territory and borders

With 10,53 km² Serravalle covers about a sixth of the entire Sammarinese territory. Its eight curazie are Ca' Ragni, Cinque Vie, Dogana, Falciano, Lesignano, Ponte Mellini, Rovereta and Valgiurata. The Castello borders Domagnano and Borgo Maggiore, plus the Italian municipalities of Verucchio, Rimini and Coriano.

Rovereta concentrates the main industrial zone of the Republic. In 1957 the curazia became the stage of the so-called events of Rovereta: a provisional opposition committee occupied an abandoned plant, attempting to install a parallel government, before the crisis was resolved through institutional mobilisation. The area today also hosts gaming halls and commercial activities of significance for the State budget.

Summary data for the Castello di Serravalle: population, surface, borders, curazie.
Residents 11.237 (31 March 2025)
Surface 10,53 km²
Altitude valley floor below 150 m a.s.l.
Hamlets/Curazie Ca' Ragni · Cinque Vie · Dogana · Falciano · Lesignano · Ponte Mellini · Rovereta · Valgiurata
Borders with Domagnano and Borgo Maggiore
Italian municipalities Verucchio (Rimini), Rimini and Coriano (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 — Sports facilities and entrance to the Republic

Places and traditions

Serravalle gathers the three main sports facilities of the Republic: the San Marino Stadium (also known as the Olympic Stadium), home to the matches of the national football team and of San Marino Calcio, the baseball stadium of the San Marino Baseball Club, and the tennis centre. International athletics events are also held there.

In Dogana, the Ponte di Confine is the most photographed point of the Republic. The clock tower in the historic centre of Serravalle and the church of Sant'Andrea, rebuilt on medieval foundations, complete the places of interest of the Castello.

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

Heraldry of the Castello

Inspired by the defensive role of the Castello, the coat of arms shows a square red tower with Ghibelline merlons on a blue field: «Azure, a square tower gules, embattled with three merlons à la Ghibelline».

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

§ V — Further reading

Continue reading

History

Sammarinese Middle Ages

The annexations of 1463 and the formation of the present-day territory of the Republic.
Castelli

Domagnano

The neighbouring Castello to the south, inhabited since Roman times and home of the Domagnano Treasure.
Institutions

Giunta di Castello

The nine local administrations, with elections every five years on the Castello-of-residence lists.
FAQ · Useful answers

Frequently asked questions

Which is the most populous curazia of Serravalle?
Dogana, which is also the largest inhabited centre of the entire Republic. It lies at the border with Rimini, on the line of the dual carriageway, and is the main gateway into Sammarinese territory.
Is Dogana an autonomous Castello?
No. Dogana is a curazia of Serravalle. Several Istanze d'Arengo have been filed in recent years asking for its recognition as an autonomous Castello, but the Great and General Council has not so far accepted them.
Where is the San Marino Olympic Stadium?
In Serravalle. The ground hosts the home matches of the national football team and of San Marino Calcio. It is UEFA-accredited for international fixtures.
What were the events of Rovereta?
An institutional crisis in September-October 1957. A provisional opposition committee occupied an industrial plant in Rovereta, attempting to install a parallel government. The crisis was resolved within a few weeks thanks to the mediation of the Regency.
Has Serravalle always been part of the Republic?
No. It was one of the castra subdita, originally castles of the Malatesta of Rimini. It was annexed to San Marino in 1463 at the end of the conflict between Pius II and Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta.