FEAST OF SAN MARINO AND FOUNDATION OF THE REPUBLIC

a day in the old town with music, entertainment, tastings and tradition

September 3 is the celebration of the Feast of San Marino, the Saint Founder of the Republic, but also the anniversary of the birth of the Republic itself, which tradition dates back to 301 AD.

San Marino is considered the oldest republic in the world that still exists and certainly one of the most fascinating. It is a day of celebration that has always been particularly dear to the people of San Marino, which thrills visitors by enchanting them with the evocative colors and images of the celebrations, the beauty of the area and the warmth of the inhabitants.

The day includes a rich program of traditional events.
The morning is dedicated to the official part, with the celebration of the solemn Holy Mass in the Basilica at the end of which the precious reliquary, where the relics of the saint are kept, is carried in procession along the districts of the centre.



In the afternoon, the protagonist is the crossbow, the symbol of defense of age-old freedom. The custom of celebrating the Saint with crossbow games and shows dates back to ancient times, in fact, it is known as early as the 16th century. Therefore, the Palio delle Balestre Grandi cannot be missed again this year, a particularly captivating show promoted by the Federation of San Marino Crossbowmen. The colorful historical procession with precious period costumes, the colored flags that flutter in the air, governed by the skilled hands of the flag-wavers, the tension and emotion of the crossbowmen who wish to honor the Saint by shooting the winning arrow, make the Cava dei Balestrieri a truly magical place.



​The evening continues with the traditional military band concert in Piazzale lo Stradone, the eagerly awaited bingo and the entertainment show in Campo Reffi. The event will culminate with the joy of fireworks, an exciting show that lights up the vault of the sky by drawing combinations of shapes and colors.