San Marino, 1959

[Music] it seems only a little while since the arrival of the passengers at London Airport but already the baggage is being safely loaded above the airport Italy bound it's okay for takeoff and we're away in search of relaxation we journey from the Adriatic coast and motor inland less than an hour's drive through rich farm country you see the touring crag in the background which rises 2500 feet suddenly out of the plane well that's the smallest Republic in the world I know what you're thinking Italy is Republic anyway so what's the story well the story is that this miniature state is a republic in its own right within the Republic of Italy we've nearly arrived the High Rocks surmounted by three medieval towers the Republic of San Marino a visitor travels across the bridge that divides Italy and San Marino and there she's greeted my friend the trip to the passport office isn't strictly necessary but if you have the time and like an official stamp of the san marino government on your passport well drop it it'll please the officials anyway [Music] the picturesquely uniformed soldiers marched continuous guard across the bridge they say one of the muscle known we were coming he's wearing his Sundays pants [Music] a closer look at the sheer height of the rock and the three ruined castles perched not unlike a heavy medieval crown and we know that we reached our journey's end having driven up to the main gate of the city our visitors told by the officer controlling the traffic to park the car because no vehicles of any description are allowed within the city which was built on ancient one ticket our law and order within the city I maintained by the army and police in their decorative brocade gleaming gold epaulettes and combed helmets they make striking figures in the main square in front of the governor's palace good seal from the ancient bell tower above the palace it's time to enter the governor's chamber this is a dedication to Saint marinus the father of the state [Music] [Music] there are two governors in San Marino and they're elected twice nearly one represents this proud little state and the other other Republic of Italy this sanctum is reserved especially for the summit in Asia wish to discuss their problems personally with the governors each case is handled with sympathy and understanding as befits the saying above the entrance which runs those with kind hearts will listen also in the Palace of the Council of Ministers of which there are twelve by the wall is a 16th century painting pointed out by the official guide to the visitors who daily throng this small and compact republic in this chamber the minister's make four laws according to an oath taken at the time of the election that the best laws are made in the spirit of Liberty this is an original LUN franca painting of the founder Saint marinus back to the open air sunshine and the crowds let's be a visit to the palazzo Chester and his days as a palace when over it became a prison and now it's merely a ruin this unforgettable scene shows the variety of landscape to the southwest the Tuscan Ebonics the Northeast the blue stretch of the Adriatic to the southeast the marsh Apennines and to the north uga my heroes [Music] and if you remember a friend to whom you wish to send a card well there's no time like the present and what should we say something unusual I think I don't having a wonderful time wish you were here today is the birthday of San Marino and the early festivities start with a Balestrieri or Archer a display the archers line up in their original 13th century costumes you'll notice the prosper is being used and it's fascinating the effect that these very weapons were used in past ages in defense of the Citadel the target is in the shape of a man and a bull's-eye is Center Authority this gives way to wining and dining [Music] [Music] and later maybe a little window-shopping the souvenirs but of course there are many somebody knows at compact city with narrow cobbled streets curio shops and outdoor cafes there's also a small ceramic industry which provides some wonderful examples in variety of design and color as this workshop displays [Music] the factory itself provides work for anyone with an artistic inclination in firing the earthenware jars or painting of ours made to the artists own design as this was Olympic yeah many of the stands had the Olympic sport designs and if there's still someone you'd forgotten to send a card to well why not no you a choice of some 40 different stunts it's been a tiring day so how about a nice cup of tea if you wish for something more substantial how about a meal at a really picturesque restaurant but a barren Adele Canon though run by senior Paolo who personally serves you with his delicious specialities you marry this wonderful meal with either red or white wine oh why not another helping sir how can I refuse San Marino is celebrating today the 1650 fifth anniversary of its founding the festivities include a mass in the cathedral followed by a procession carrying the golden covered and crowned skull of the seat saint marines the original armor from the most trustworthy dates of ancient legends it's been established that about the Year 300 AD a Dalmatian stonecutter named marinus a native of the Isle of RB took refuge on this monte titano in order to pay persecution of the roman emperors at that time monte titano was nothing but forests and gullies and the refuge of wild beasts there are were the few followers of the Christian faith including Leo his companion he gave himself to the exercise of his faith and art without little interest years later marinus and his companion in exile separated and Leo went to another nearby rock which is named after him the rock of cently oh we'll go there later on in time for the grape harvest festival [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] the procession is now returning to the church to place the holy skull back in its century [Music] in the mean time in his garden Commendatore fitori aged 90 for his brought news regarding the holy procession mr. dillis statesman resting in his favorite chair his mind for with memories is the only living governor whose name in letters of red and gold his among those on the wall of the chamber of governments no not a governess it's our own Queen Victoria and here are the names of every governor of San Marino from the Year 1450 to to 1900 set down for posterity the holy procession now over the people take to dancing of the needle powerful not only in celebration of this holy day but well maybe because they like dancing look ma'am there's a camera [Music] [Music] across to the other rock of Sanrio where the grape harvest is in full swing no babysitters here as soon as you can toddle you'll lend a hand or is it enough the wine of this Little Rock is famous all along the Adriatic coast it's made out of these luscious red grapes yes if there are any left by the time this youngsters head is filled now there's dancing to celebrate the bumper crop [Music] above overshadowing these festivities is the famous castle where they say the mad new colostrum was in prison back on the rock of san marino we pay a visit to the new contemporary building housing a modern art exhibition san marino is not content to live purely on its past traditions young artists yearly exhibit their work here and art lovers I've only from Rome but all over the world come to purchase or to stake a claim on a future Michelangelo [Music] but it's time for our visitor to say arrivederci tourists a farewell gift to flowers wines and ceramics which jingle happily she takes the steep road out of San Marino around to forum [Music] it's been a time of enchantment and happiness in this wonderful community of San Marino but soon much too soon we find ourselves back home invigorated by our two free holiday but with the knowledge that very soon will pay another visit to our hospitable hosts on the rock the invincible republic of san marino where no one goes to war and no one pays income tax [Music]