- Address: 47890 Città di San Marino, San Marino
- Sightseeing: People's Palace (Government House), Statue of Liberty, Parva Domus
When you get to San Marino , Freedom Square will be its main street. This is the central street of the capital of the state of San Marino and it is located west of the Basilica of Saint Marina . Attractions and interesting places in San Marino are located quite closely from each other, therefore on the Freedom Square you can see the building of the People's Palace, the Statue of Liberty, the building of Parva Domus.
The People's Palace in San Marino
The People's Palace serves as the residence for the government and the mayor's office of the capital, there are the Grand General Council, the captain regents, the State Congress and the Council of the Twelve. The construction of the famous Palazzo Publico has been entrusted to the architect from Italy Francesco Addzurri, and it has been going on for a decade, from 1884 to the year 1894.
A little earlier in the same place was located the House of the Great Communes, which at that time served as a residence for the government. But in 1996 the old building was restored and now it looks quite significant. The exterior walls are decorated with cream sandstone, they have images of revered saints and several arms. An integral part of the building is a bronze statue of St. Martin, the founder of San Marino. Also on the building there is a clock tower, on which there is a bell that used to call, if there was a danger, warning about it to the townspeople.
The Great Hall of the General Council should be distinguished from the premises of the palace. It can be reached by a beautiful front staircase. Interesting rooms are the Hall of the Council of Twelve and the offices of the captains-regents in which they conduct the reception.
Passing through the vestibule, you will see a triptych, which depicts the three saints who are the revered patron of the republic. Their names are: Marin, Quirin, Agatha.
If you go to San Marino on Freedom Square on the first of April or the first of October, you can see an interesting ceremony when the names of the new captains-regents are announced from the balcony in the center of the building.
During the tourist season near the town hall, another unusual and colorful spectacle is also produced, which attracts many tourists - changing of the guard.
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Statue of Liberty and Parva Domus
In the square there is another important landmark - the Statue of Liberty. It causes even more interest than the building. The statue was presented to the city by the Berlin Countess Otilia Heyrot Wagener. It was created from white marble by the sculptor Stefano Galletti and depicts a warrior who swiftly moves forward carrying a torch in his hand. The head of this statue is crowned with an interesting crown, the teeth of which serve as a reminder of the three towers of San Marino. It is interesting to know that the image of this statue is imprinted on the coin of San Marino in two cents. Guides advise tourists to save such coins for good luck.
Immediately behind the statue of Liberty in the pavement is a marble slab with the image of a rose of winds. And right from the square you can see the following attraction of San Marino - an ancient cemetery.
Also in the square, opposite the Palazzo Publico, is the building of Parva Domus (Parva Domus). Nowadays, the State Secretariat dealing with the internal affairs of San Marino is located here, but references to this house appear for the first time in 1353, when public meetings were held there.
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Overview of the surroundings
Walking along Piazza della Liberta, you will see that it leaves a lot of small streets that will be interesting for tourists. Near the square you can find a large number of shops, which sell a variety of souvenirs. You can also buy leather goods and works of applied art. As in the square, and on other streets, many local people and tourists stroll.