Borgo Maggiore

San Marino

Repubblica di San Marino

The historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Traditionally known as Mercatale, it was the extension of the city on the slopes of the mountain, a place dedicated to trade, full of shops, where important agricultural fairs and the weekly market were held, already documented in 1244. Famous in the past were also the wine cellars, where the San Marino Muscat was preserved and consumed. Worthy of mention are the Natural History Museum, the Sanctuary of the Beata Vergine della Consolazione designed by Giovanni Michelucci, the Civic Clock Tower by Francesco Azzurri, the Church of Sant'Antimo that preserves the painting depicting Saint Agatha carried in procession every year on 5 February. The Mercatale was joined to the city by the Costa dell'Arnella, whose name derives from the trees (ornielli) that lined it. Today the panoramic cable car connects Borgo Maggiore to the historic centre of the City of San Marino in just a few minutes.