The historic center of San Marino within its walls and the eastern slopes of Mount Titano were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.
According to UNESCO:
San Marino Historic Centre and Mount Titano covers 55 ha, including Mount Titano and the historic centre of the city which dates back to the foundation of the republic as a city-state in the 13th century. San Marino is inscribed as a testimony to the continuity of a free republic since the Middle Ages. The inscribed city centre includes fortification towers, walls, gates and bastions, as well as a neo-classical basilica of the 19th century, 14th and 16th century convents, and the Palazzo Publico of the 19th century, as well as the 18th century Titano Theatre. The property represents an historical centre still inhabited and preserving all its institutional functions. Thanks to its position on top of Mount Titano, it was not affected by the urban transformations that have occurred from the advent of the industrial era to today.
Credits: whc.unesco.org
Description is available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0
The visual and historical setting are the most important aspect of the UNESCO nomination, along with the cultural heritage manifested in the perfectly preserved works of art and monuments on Titan that tell the whole story of this ancient republic.
The Republic of San Marino is the only medieval city-state in northern Italy that represents an important stage in the development of democratic models of good governance in Europe and the world.
The Historic Center of San Marino has maintained its geo-political context with unchanged boundaries since 1463. The exceptional civic history is evidenced by the functional authenticity of the
public monuments, urban spaces and the historic urban landscape of Mount Titano.
Starting with the three towers that soar imposingly, a symbol of this ancient City-State that has always defended its freedom and autonomy.
There is also no shortage of churches, palaces and squares of great beauty, such as Piazza della Libertà, overlooked by the Palazzo Pubblico and where the view of the entire valley is enchanting, and museums where you can learn about and explore the history of San Marino. But there are also other buildings and places that characterize the City of San Marino and its culture. The Public Library and the State Archives, the theaters, such as the ancient Titan Theater, up to the State University, founded in 1985.
At first the entire territory of San Marino was nominated for UNESCO heritage, then in 2008 only the historic center and City of San Marino and Mount Titano were approved.
In this map you can see the boundaries of the UNESCO-listed area:
