San Marino Flag

San Marino Flag

San Marino Flag

According to tradition, San Marino, a landlocked enclave in Northern Italy and one of the world's smallest republics, was founded in a.d. 301 by a Christian stonemason called Marinus, who had sought refuge from religious persecution on Mount Tizano. Through both its isolated position in the Eastern Apennines and its ability to treat with its more powerful neighbors, the republic was able to maintain its autonomy, its independence being recognized by Pope Nicholas IV in 1292, by Napoleon in 1797, the Congress of Vienna in 1815, the kingdom of Italy in 1862 and subsequently also the Republic of Italy.

The San Marino flag dates back to 1797, its colors having been derived from the republic's coat of arms, which consist of a heart-shaped shied topped by a crown. The blue is said to denote the sky over San Marino, while the white represents the clouds above, and the snow upon, Mount Tizano. Within the shield are the three citadel towers of Guaita, Cesta and Montale, which are situated on the summit of Mount Tizano, symbolizing the republic's ability to defend its freedom. Although the arms do not appear on the national San Marino flag, they are used on the state flag that is flown on official occasions.