At 755 metres above sea level, the Second Tower, also known as Castello della Cesta, stands on the highest peak of Monte Titano. It also forms the middle section of a panoramic trail connecting San Marino’s three historic towers. Its elevation, the route and the buildings offer a tangible introduction to the history of this fortified landscape.
Three towers, different stories
The First Tower, “Guaita”, is the oldest of the three towers. It is said to have served as a refuge for the first inhabitants around the year 1000. A visit includes the prisons as well as the Mastio, which you can reach by climbing a staircase.
The Third Tower, “Montale”, is connected to the other two towers by a long wall. In the Middle Ages, it served a strategic defensive function. The three structures therefore share a common historical thread, but represent different roles.
The San Marino Historic Centre and Mount Titano World Heritage Site covers 55 hectares, including Monte Titano and San Marino’s historic old town. The fortified towers are part of a wider ensemble of walls, gates and bastions. This makes it possible to explore defensive architecture not only through individual towers, but also through the other elements of the World Heritage Site.
Museums: from weapons to postal history
The Second Tower houses the Museum of Ancient Arms. Its collection comprises around 700 exhibits spanning different types and periods. This links the site’s role on the panoramic trail with an insight into the history and diversity of historic weapons.
The Museo di Stato offers a different perspective: it preserves around 5,000 objects of art-historical, archaeological and numismatic significance. Many come from the Republic of San Marino and document its history. The collections thus provide a different focus from the weapons exhibition at Castello della Cesta.
The San Marino National Gallery is located in the Logge dei Volontari in the old town. The Saint Francis Museum is housed in the historic rooms of the monastery of the same name, next to the church built in 1361. In the arcades of the historic monastery courtyard, it displays paintings by Guercino, Gerolamo Marchesi da Cotignola and Nicolò Liberatore.
Postal history has its own dedicated museum, too: the Stamp and Coin Museum displays historical materials used by the San Marino post office from 1877 onwards. These materials offer a way to discover another chapter in the country’s history.
Sacred sites and routes
The Basilica del Santo has three naves and six altars decorated with paintings. The Chiesetta di San Pietro contains two stone resting places carved entirely into the rock, traditionally attributed to Saints Marino and Leone. Architecture and tradition take centre stage in different ways at these two sites.
After crossing the border between Italy and San Marino, the Cammino del Santo Marino leads to the baptismal spring at Castello di Acquaviva and the Sacello del Santo on the rock face of Baldasserona. The route then continues towards the old town. This makes its course different from that of the panoramic trail connecting the three historic towers.
Regional cuisine
San Marino’s cuisine includes typical regional cured meats, grilled meat, homemade bread and piada, also known as piadina. Dishes made with milk and cheese are also part of the local fare. These options complement historical and cultural discoveries with regional food.
More destinations
Discover more destinations: San Marino, Serravalle, Borgo Maggiore, Murata, Cailungo, Serravalle, Domagnano, Montegiardino.
