Palazzo Pubblico
Giosuè Carducci and Abraham Lincoln
The Palazzo Pubblico is the seat of government and the town hall of San Marino. It was inaugurated on 30th September 1894 after ten years of construction. At the ceremony, Nobel Prize winner Giosuè Carducci (1835–1907) gave his now famous “Speech on San Marino's Perpetual Freedom” (Discorso sulla libertà perpetua di San Marino). He is immortalized by a bronze bust inside the Palazzo Pubblico, as is US President Abraham Lincoln, who received an honorary citizenship of San Marino in 1861 out of solidarity in the context of the American Civil War.
Architecture
The exterior of the Palazzo Publico is characterized by the clock tower and the battlements on the roof. Above the clock is a mosaic triptych (three-part portrait) of the saints Leo of Montefeltro, Marinus and Agatha of Catania. The Palazzo Pubblico was designed by the Roman architect Francesco Azzurri in the Renaissance Revival style. The stonework was carried out by Giuseppe Reffi, who, in keeping with tradition, used material from the quarries of Monte Titano. An extensive restoration was carried out until 1996 under the direction of Gae Aulenti.
Use
As the town hall and government building, the Palazzo Pubblico houses the seat of the Capitani Reggenti, the parliament, the state council and the congress of San Marino.. Twice a year, on 1st April and 1st October, the two newly elected Capitani Reggenti are announced from the balcony above the entrance. Every day, visitors can watch the changing of the guard in front of the palace.
Facts
- Location: Piazza della Libertà, City of San Marino
- Function: Town hall of San Marino
- Built: Between 1884 and 1894
- Houses: Seat of the Capitani Reggenti, Parliament, State Council and Congress of San Marino
- San Marino coin motif: 2 euro coin from the first series
Palazzo Pubblico Note
This unique souvenir note from the San Marino Series was developed in cooperation with the Poste San Marino and is dedicated to the Palazzo Pubblico. It is printed on genuine banknote paper and has several modern security features such as UV ink and a gold foil patch in the shape of a coat of arms of San Marino. The obverse is designed vertically and depicts the Palazzo Pubblico. The horizontal reverse shows a view of the Second Tower and the “Witches' Pass” (Passo delle Streghe). The path that runs between the fortifications on Mount Titano owes its name to old stories about young women who are said to have gathered on the mountain to dance around bonfires. The San Marino Series, which comprises a total of eight souvenir notes, is also available in a booklet with lots of information and pictures.
Obverse: Palazzo Pubblico in the City of San Marino, national coat of arms of San Marino, motto "Libertas" (Latin for "freedom")
Reverse: Witches' Pass, path connecting the first two towers of San Marino on Monte Titano, national coat of arms of San Marino, motto "Libertas" (Latin for "freedom")
| Dimensions: 145 x 70 mm (5.71 x 2.76 in) Material: Paper |
