Three Towers of San Marino

The Three Towers of San Marino are stone structures positioned along the ridge of Mount Titano and linked by pathways with thick defensive walls at different elevations. The Guaita stands tallest and most prominent, while the Cesta sits in the middle and the Montale occupies the lowest position.

The fortification was first documented in 1253 and developed as protection against attacks from the powerful Malatesta family of Rimini during the medieval period. Over centuries, control and function of these defenses changed hands repeatedly, yet they remained the strategic core of the republic.

The Museum of Ancient Weapons in the Cesta tower displays more than 500 items such as armor, swords, and firearms spanning from the Middle Ages to the 1900s. The collection tells the story of warfare and life in this mountaintop fortress.

Visitors can enter two of the three towers, with the Guaita and Cesta offering guided tours while the Montale remains closed to the public. Wear sturdy shoes for the climb, as the pathways are steep and stone steps uneven.

The Guaita tower once held a prison cell accessible only through an opening in the ceiling, which remained in use until 1970. This reveals how the fortress adapted its purposes across the centuries.

GPS coordinates: 43.93500,12.45000

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:22