San Marino (Italy)

[brianac]

San Marino.
























Photo's TREKEARTH

[Meerkat]

Beautiful - super stuff Brianac!! I'll add this on my list of 'must see' places (growing rapidly....)

[brianac]

It's been a number of years since I was there but at that time all buildings including the church were in use.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Marino

[brianac]

Church of San Francesco (Chiesa di San Francesco)

The Church of San Francesco is the oldest remaining building in San Marino, and although it has suffered from some mediocre alterations over the years, the front of the building has been restored to its original style and it is certainly worth a visit. The original church was built in 1361 and its most important feature is the wooden crucifix on the high altar, which is believed to date back to 300 AD. There is also a collection of paintings by Niccolo Alunno of Foligno, a notable Umbrian painter who died in 1502. The church is one of the most visited sites in San Marino.


Basilica del Santo

The Basilica del Santo is considered to be the most important church in San Marino and it is also the most spectacular. Built in the 19th century on the site of one of the first Christian monuments, the building retains some of the original structures including the bell tower, which dates from about 1600. The basilica was built in the neo-classical style with Corinthian columns. Under the altar is an urn which contains the remains and artefacts of San Marino, the citys patron saint. The church also houses the 17th century throne of the Captains Regent, which is still used today for inauguration ceremonies. A staircase by the bell tower leads to the 16th century church of St Peter, carved into the rocks, where it is claimed that San Marino slept.