The Oldest Republic – Episode 10

A small community built on stone, faith and steep cliffs. A city enclosed by walls, shaped by centuries of history.

In this episode of The Oldest Republic, we explore the long urban transformation of San Marino, following the evolution of its landscape from the first medieval settlements on Mount Titano to the challenges of modern urban planning.

The story begins with the earliest traces of settlement around monasteries, churches and defensive structures, before following the gradual development of the medieval city, its walls and towers. Over centuries, San Marino grew slowly, preserving an urban identity that remained largely unchanged until the modern age.

The nineteenth century marked a turning point. New monuments such as the Basilica and the Government Palace reshaped the historic centre, expressing a renewed sense of national identity and projecting the image of an ancient republic entering the modern world.

The episode also explores the extraordinary work of Gino Zani in the twentieth century. Through restorations, reconstructions and ambitious urban projects, Zani helped create the image of San Marino that visitors know today: a city that appears medieval, yet is also the result of modern reinterpretation.

After the Second World War, rapid economic growth, tourism and industrial development transformed the territory once again. New roads, residential areas and commercial districts expanded beyond the historic centre, creating a landscape increasingly shaped by modern needs and opportunities.

From medieval walls to highways, from fortified towers to urban sprawl, this episode traces the continuous dialogue between heritage and development that has defined San Marino for centuries.

A small republic constantly rebuilding itself… in stone, concrete and memory.

#SanMarino #History #TheOldestRepublic #Architecture #UrbanHistory

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This podcast is sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs of San Marino, with the support of the San Marino Centre for Historical Studies (University of San Marino).

The texts are based on L. Gorgolini, S. Pivato (eds.), History of San Marino, 2026. This episode is based on chapter 10: L. Morganti, Urban and Territorial Transformations in the History of San Marino.

Author: Giuseppe Giardi
Hosts: Carlotta Serra Ciotti and Federica Ghirotti
Video: Luca Zucchi

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:07 From Its Origins to the Medieval City: The Urban Roots of San Marino
06:05 The Construction of Identity: From the Pellacchi Cadastre to the Nineteenth-Century Monuments
10:07 Gino Zani and the "Re-Creation" of San Marino
13:06 From the Post-War Period to the Highway: The Assault on the Territory
14:50 Rules, Town Planning Schemes and the Difficult Relationship with the Territory
17:02 Conclusions