The republic of San Marino sits east of Tuscany, almost on the same latitude as Firenze, near Italy's seaside resort of Rimini. When it comes to describing the layout of the republic's capital, 'vertical' springs to mind. It's a medieval hangnail sitting on the western slopes of Mount Titano, with narrow roads gouged out of the mountainside, spiralling ever-upward to its triple-peaked summit. A fortress sitting regally on each peak forms the famously photogenic profile that is seen on a thousand postcards, stamps and tourist brochures, not to mention the republican coat of arms.

Although most of the attractions are clustered together, they tend to be clustered together vertically.

Most of the streets are very, very steep cobble stoned lanes, with walkways, ramparts and stairs crisscrossing the entire city. On the plus side, the advantage of all this going-upward ness and verticality, is constant magnificent views of the Adriatic coastline and the Po river plains.

From the centre of town, facing the tri-peaked and fortressed Mount Titano, most of the attractions are off to the east. Walk through the Porta San Francesco and follow the signs to Piazza della Liberta, at the end of which you'll find the creamy facade of the Palazzo Publico.

Further to the northeast is the Basilica del Santo.

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