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San Marino's origins are confounded in dark documental gaps, in fact reliable evidence exists
only since the end of
the 6th century (the first document of the medieval history is Monk Eugippo's letter 511 A.D.), therefore,
this first period is based on leggen-dary contribution.
Mount Titano according to mithological tradition, was one of the masses used by the gigantics (Titani) to ascend to the sky and depose of Jupiter. Legend
sets the date of foundation at September 3rd 301 A.D., by hand of a Christian
sto-necutter named Marino, who originated from the Island of Arbe (in croatian
Rab).
Marino on arrivai in Rimini with a
country-fellow named Leo to repair the city, damaged by barbarie invasions, took cover on mount Titano (it is
not know whether the reason was
to flee from the persecutions Christians were subjec-ted to or whether it was of his own will).
There is evidence of the presence of a "Monesterium " from the early medieval period which was the heart of a social and religious
life style. In
succession the passage led to the forming of the "plebis"
(dawning of the 10th century), and sub-sequently to municipality (the first municipal
statute reaching us goes
back to 1295-1302), which allowed the seperation from
the charge of the Bishop of Montefeltro, but not untill the 14th
century.
The 15th century, as concerns the Republic, was a period of territorial expansion and political
of alliances which contributed to the strenghening
of the frontiers constantly in
danger due to powerful pressure from neighbours.
During the 16th century, an oligarchic type government had full development, and brought strong contrasts between the most powerful ari-stocratic families; at the end of the 16th century alongside the publication of a new statute the
set-tlement for the head families's
"Arengo"(Assembly piace) was openly enforced, and the Council of
Sixty succeeded.
The 17th century with exception to the end of the Dukedom of Urbino, to
which the Republics's events were always linked; did not present exceptio-nal occurences from the
historical point of view. Memorable
in events however was the following century, most of all for the Alberonian
occupation. During 1739 a
conspiracy towards the government was
uncovered.
The inhabitants of San
Marino, disturbed, directed turned to the Holy
See, which assigned Cardinal Alberoni, an envoy to Romagna
for the last four years, to take
an interest in the case. Despite
the fact that San Marino's Government did not want interference, the Cardinal just the same decided to enter the Republic bringing changes
in the institutional System. News of
injustices reached Rome, and Pope
Clemente XII sent Monsignor Enriquez,
the Perugian
Governor to restore order. The
re-conquest of independence (1740) was celebrated and still today these celebrations are repeated on February
5th, Saint'Agata'sDay.
San Marino passed a difficult period during Napoleon Bonapartès
passing through, in
fact, original democracy was
transformed into an oligarchical one, consisting of the wealthiest families who handed down their position by cooptation or from father
to son.
The moderate replies given in this occasion to the French did not spare the Republic and
independence was defended with
great courage. In fact, Berthier, Napoleoni general, asked for the consignment of Bishop Ferretti, who had taken cover on Mount Titano, otherwise he would invade the Republic. Everything in the end turned out for the
best, and in order to show his
benevolence, Bonaparte sent, quin-tals of fodder to the inhabitants of San Marino.
We cannot forget to mention in this historical outline, the hospitality offered to Giuseppe Garibaldi, who, when, fleeing from Rome towards Venice in July 1849, took cover
in San Marino, hel-ped by a Regent named Domenico
Maria Belzoppì, with the
guarantee that San Marino was not invol-ved in the battle. When the troops, started out again, fleeing from the Austrians, Garibaldi's
friend Ugo Bassi
died and the Hero of the Two Worlds's companion, Anita, died in the valleys of
Ravenna. The
beginning of the 20th century represented institutional change, or better still a reformation
of the System, with a return to the old govern-ment, elected by popular vote. The "Arengo" regained
the authority which it had gradually lost after
the 17th century; 300 years later the head families returned to reunite on March 25th 1906 in thè Pieve (Parish) to declare popular soverei-gnty.
This date has remained in tradition as a civil holiday, and is celebrated every year. The
fascist party came to power also in San Marino,
but it was a circumstance directly dipen-dent on
nearby Italy's events. The accomplishment of
certain works of art still existent today go back to this period: "L'Ara
dei Volontari"(1927)
"il Palazzo delle
Poste" (1932) "l'Ospedale
della Misericordia" (now
center of the state high school), "II Teatro Titano
"both dated 1941 and furthermore, the railway
which linked Rimini to San Marino, and destroyed during the second world war.
The Republic still
today maintains the same cha-racteristics and
political System which through the centuries
have allowed it to remain independent and autonomous. The country's constitution is that which
fascinates so, and which stretches for 60 sq. kms through the Marche and Emilia-Romagna regions. |
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