The Oldest Republic – Episode 14

For centuries, San Marino had laws, institutions and a strong political identity. But it had no newspapers.

In this final episode of The Oldest Republic, we explore the history of information and journalism in the Republic, tracing the long path that led San Marino from a world without printing presses to the age of radio, television and digital media.

For generations, printing was prohibited within the Republic. While newspapers and political journals flourished across Italy, San Marino remained largely excluded from this revolution in communication, constrained by diplomatic caution and limited resources. Yet the desire to inform, discuss and participate never disappeared.

The story begins with the first printing presses and the birth of the Republic’s earliest newspapers in the late nineteenth century. Short-lived but ambitious publications experimented with satire, political debate and civic engagement, giving San Marino its first independent voice in print.

The episode then follows the transformation of the press into a political and cultural space. Newspapers linked to different parties and movements became instruments of public debate, while libraries, reading rooms and local initiatives helped expand access to information.

A second major turning point arrived with radio and television. After decades of restrictions, San Marino finally obtained the right to operate its own broadcasting services, leading to the creation of Radio San Marino and, eventually, San Marino RTV, the Republic’s national broadcaster.

Finally, we explore the rise of local newspapers, digital journalism and online media, which brought San Marino fully into the contemporary information landscape.

From prohibited printing presses to podcasts, from political pamphlets to digital news, this episode tells the story of how a small republic learned to speak with its own voice.

A journey through newspapers, radio waves and screens… to discover the voice of the Republic.

#SanMarino #History #TheOldestRepublic #Journalism #Media #Communication

Subscribe to our channels to follow the full series:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@storiainflanella/featured
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4zuAthwqVO4rRJffD6yzkr?si=3fff127dd1a3495f

This podcast is sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs of San Marino, with the support of the San Marino Centre for Historical Studies (University of San Marino).

The texts are based on L. Gorgolini, S. Pivato (eds.), History of San Marino, 2026. This episode is based on chapter 14: S. Barducci, Newspapers and Journalism: From the 19th Century to the Present.

Author: Giuseppe Giardi
Hosts: Carlotta Serra Ciotti and Federica Ghirotti
Video: Luca Zucchi

Chapters
00:00 When Printing was prohibited: Forced Delays
03:55 The First Newspapers
06:45 The Press as a Political and Civil Space
09:53 Radio and Television
12:05 Quick Information: local press and new technologies
14:34 Thank you!

The Oldest Republic – Episode 13

For centuries, culture in San Marino was built patiently: one archive, one book, one theatre, one museum at a time.

In this episode of The Oldest Republic, we explore how the Republic gradually created the institutions responsible for preserving its memory, showcasing its heritage and fostering cultural life. What began as a scattered collection of documents, books and local initiatives eventually became a structured system capable of representing San Marino both at home and abroad.

The journey begins with the State Archive and the State Library, institutions born from the need to preserve documents, organise knowledge and safeguard the continuity of the Republic. Through the work of scholars, historians and administrators, these collections evolved into essential pillars of San Marino’s cultural identity.

We then turn to the museums. From the first collections assembled in the nineteenth century to the development of the State Museum and the expansion of specialised museums dedicated to archaeology, arms, philately, migration and contemporary art, we follow the growing awareness that cultural heritage needed not only to be collected, but also protected and shared.

The episode also reflects on difficult moments, including the loss of the famous Domagnano Treasure, an event that helped shape modern policies for the protection of cultural heritage.

Finally, we explore the world of theatre, cinema and music. From early theatrical performances and community bands to modern cultural institutions, festivals and artistic education, San Marino gradually developed a vibrant cultural life that extended well beyond archives and museum walls.

At the heart of this story lies a simple idea: preserving the past is not enough. A republic must also create spaces where memory, creativity and community can meet.

A small state building culture… one institution at a time.

#SanMarino #History #TheOldestRepublic #Culture #Museums #Heritage

Subscribe to our channels to follow the full series:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@storiainflanella/featured
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4zuAthwqVO4rRJffD6yzkr?si=3fff127dd1a3495f

This podcast is sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs of San Marino, with the support of the San Marino Centre for Historical Studies (University of San Marino).

The texts are based on L. Gorgolini, S. Pivato (eds.), History of San Marino, 2026. This episode is based on chapter 13: V. Testaj, The Development of Cultural Institutions.

Author: Giuseppe Giardi
Hosts: Carlotta Serra Ciotti and Federica Ghirotti
Video: Luca Zucchi

Chapters
00:00 Preserve, organise, legitimise: State Archive and Library
05:11 Exhibit, protect, represent. Museums and figurative arts
10:03 Theatre, cinema, music

The Oldest Republic – Episode 12

Before chronicles, before documents, even before words, there were traces.

In this episode of The Oldest Republic, we travel deep into the ancient past of San Marino, exploring what archaeology can reveal about the people who lived on Mount Titano long before the Republic emerged in written history. Through excavations, accidental discoveries and forgotten artefacts, a story of settlements, cults and cultural transformations gradually comes to light.

We begin with the history of archaeological research itself, from the first discoveries made by nineteenth-century scholars to the more systematic excavations carried out during the twentieth century. What initially appeared to be an isolated mountain soon revealed itself as part of a much larger historical landscape.

The episode then takes us to Tanaccia, a remarkable sanctuary carved into the rock near the summit of Mount Titano. Used for centuries as a sacred site, it preserves evidence of ancient rituals, healing cults and contacts between local communities and the wider Roman world.

From there, we explore the Roman period, when the territory of San Marino became integrated into the economic and cultural networks centred on nearby Ariminum, modern Rimini. Villas, farms and productive settlements transformed the landscape, linking the mountain to the wider Mediterranean world.

Finally, we move into Late Antiquity, an age of crisis, migration and transformation. Through discoveries such as the famous Domagnano Treasure, one of the most important archaeological finds in San Marino’s history, we encounter the Gothic elites, the spread of Christianity and the complex world from which the medieval community would eventually emerge.

Archaeology does not tell us everything. But through fragments, ruins and forgotten objects, it allows us to glimpse a past that existed long before the oldest republic in the world took shape.

A journey beneath the surface… to discover the deepest roots of San Marino.

#SanMarino #History #TheOldestRepublic #Archaeology #AncientHistory

Subscribe to our channels to follow the full series:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@storiainflanella/featured
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4zuAthwqVO4rRJffD6yzkr?si=3fff127dd1a3495f

This podcast is sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs of San Marino, with the support of the San Marino Centre for Historical Studies (University of San Marino).

The texts are based on L. Gorgolini, S. Pivato (eds.), History of San Marino, 2026. This episode is based on chapter 12: V. Casali, B. Gruska, Archaeological Discoveries: Settlements in Antiquity.

Author: Giuseppe Giardi
Hosts: Carlotta Serra Ciotti and Federica Ghirotti
Video: Luca Zucchi

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:02 Research in San Marino Territory
04:51 A Sanctuary in the Rock
09:04 The Romans on Mount Titano
12:58 Late Antiquity
16:07 Conclusion

The Oldest Republic – Episode 11

How does a republic tell its own story through art?

In this episode of The Oldest Republic, we explore the artistic heritage of San Marino through three symbolic places that reveal how the Republic has represented itself across the centuries. Rather than offering a complete history of art, we follow a journey through buildings, images and monuments that connect memory, identity and power.

Our first stop is the Church and Convent of Saint Francis, one of the oldest and most significant religious complexes in the Republic. From medieval foundations and Renaissance frescoes to works linked to the great artistic centres of Italy, this site tells a story of faith, culture and artistic exchange.

We then move to the Monastery of Saint Clare, whose history begins during the Catholic Reformation and unfolds through the lives of the women who inhabited it. More than a religious building, it became a place of education, memory and community, leaving behind a rich artistic and cultural legacy.

Finally, we arrive at the Government Palace, perhaps the most symbolic building in San Marino. Rebuilt in the nineteenth century in a neo-medieval style, it was designed not only as a seat of government but also as a visual statement of the Republic’s identity, linking its institutions to the myth of perpetual freedom and its medieval origins.

Throughout the episode, we encounter vanished buildings, rediscovered artworks, ambitious restorations and carefully crafted symbols. Together, they reveal how San Marino has continuously used art and architecture to shape the image it presents to itself and to the world.

A small republic telling its story… through stone, images and memory.

#SanMarino #History #TheOldestRepublic #Art #CulturalHeritage

Subscribe to our channels to follow the full series:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@storiainflanella/featured
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4zuAthwqVO4rRJffD6yzkr?si=3fff127dd1a3495f

This podcast is sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs of San Marino, with the support of the San Marino Centre for Historical Studies (University of San Marino).

The texts are based on L. Gorgolini, S. Pivato (eds.), History of San Marino, 2026. This episode is based on chapter 11: M. Bollini, Art Through the Centuries: Three Significant Monuments.

Author: Giuseppe Giardi
Hosts: Carlotta Serra Ciotti and Federica Ghirotti
Video: Luca Zucchi

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:28 Saint Francis’ Church
05:31 Monastery of Saint Clare
10:04 Government Building
14:22 Conclusion

The Oldest Republic – Episode 10

A small community built on stone, faith and steep cliffs. A city enclosed by walls, shaped by centuries of history.

In this episode of The Oldest Republic, we explore the long urban transformation of San Marino, following the evolution of its landscape from the first medieval settlements on Mount Titano to the challenges of modern urban planning.

The story begins with the earliest traces of settlement around monasteries, churches and defensive structures, before following the gradual development of the medieval city, its walls and towers. Over centuries, San Marino grew slowly, preserving an urban identity that remained largely unchanged until the modern age.

The nineteenth century marked a turning point. New monuments such as the Basilica and the Government Palace reshaped the historic centre, expressing a renewed sense of national identity and projecting the image of an ancient republic entering the modern world.

The episode also explores the extraordinary work of Gino Zani in the twentieth century. Through restorations, reconstructions and ambitious urban projects, Zani helped create the image of San Marino that visitors know today: a city that appears medieval, yet is also the result of modern reinterpretation.

After the Second World War, rapid economic growth, tourism and industrial development transformed the territory once again. New roads, residential areas and commercial districts expanded beyond the historic centre, creating a landscape increasingly shaped by modern needs and opportunities.

From medieval walls to highways, from fortified towers to urban sprawl, this episode traces the continuous dialogue between heritage and development that has defined San Marino for centuries.

A small republic constantly rebuilding itself… in stone, concrete and memory.

#SanMarino #History #TheOldestRepublic #Architecture #UrbanHistory

Subscribe to our channels to follow the full series:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@storiainflanella/featured
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4zuAthwqVO4rRJffD6yzkr?si=3fff127dd1a3495f

This podcast is sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs of San Marino, with the support of the San Marino Centre for Historical Studies (University of San Marino).

The texts are based on L. Gorgolini, S. Pivato (eds.), History of San Marino, 2026. This episode is based on chapter 10: L. Morganti, Urban and Territorial Transformations in the History of San Marino.

Author: Giuseppe Giardi
Hosts: Carlotta Serra Ciotti and Federica Ghirotti
Video: Luca Zucchi

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:07 From Its Origins to the Medieval City: The Urban Roots of San Marino
06:05 The Construction of Identity: From the Pellacchi Cadastre to the Nineteenth-Century Monuments
10:07 Gino Zani and the "Re-Creation" of San Marino
13:06 From the Post-War Period to the Highway: The Assault on the Territory
14:50 Rules, Town Planning Schemes and the Difficult Relationship with the Territory
17:02 Conclusions

The Oldest Republic – Episode 9

A small republic on a mountain. Poor soil, hard work, little hope for the future.

In this episode of The Oldest Republic, we explore one of the most important and emotional chapters in San Marino’s modern history: emigration. Between the nineteenth century and the middle of the twentieth century, thousands of Sammarinese left their homeland in search of work, stability and dignity.

At first, migration was seasonal. Workers travelled on foot from the mountain to the plains of Romagna, the Marche or Lazio, looking for temporary jobs as labourers and peasants. But as poverty persisted and new routes opened through railways and steamships, migration became global.

From Argentina and Brazil to France, Belgium and the United States, entire communities of Sammarinese emigrants formed abroad. Some became miners, construction workers and factory labourers; others opened restaurants, workshops and small businesses, building new lives far from Mount Titano.

The episode follows this long journey across borders and oceans, exploring not only the economic causes behind emigration, but also the emotional dimension of departure: the letters sent home, the families divided for years, the uncertainty of travel and the dream of returning one day.

We also explore the impact of Fascism, restrictive immigration laws and post-war migration agreements, as well as the gradual reversal that transformed San Marino, from a land of departure into a country attracting workers from abroad.

At the heart of this story lies a profound contradiction: in order to survive, many Sammarinese had to leave their Republic behind — while continuing to carry it with them everywhere they went.

A small state whose history travelled far beyond its borders.

#SanMarino #History #TheOldestRepublic #Emigration

Welcome to the history of the oldest republic in the world.

Subscribe to our channels to follow the full series:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@storiainflanella/featured
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4zuAthwqVO4rRJffD6yzkr?si=3fff127dd1a3495f

This podcast is sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs of San Marino, with the support of the San Marino Centre for Historical Studies (University of San Marino).

The texts are based on L. Gorgolini, S. Pivato (eds.), History of San Marino, 2026. This episode is based on chapter 9: P. di Luca, Emigration Between the 19th and 20th Centuries.

Author: Giuseppe Giardi
Hosts: Carlotta Serra Ciotti and Federica Ghirotti
Video: Luca Zucchi

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
02:01 The Horizon of Departure
04:12 Emigration: from “mount to plain”
06:47 Across the Ocean and across the Border
09:55 Latest Journeys and Returns
11:23 The Legacy of an Exodus

The Oldest Republic – Episode 8

1950s. Around the world, women are gaining political rights. In nearby Italy, women have already voted for the first time. In San Marino, however, change arrives slowly.

In this episode of The Oldest Republic, we explore the long and difficult struggle for women’s suffrage in the Republic of San Marino — a story shaped by political tensions, social conservatism and determined activism.

The episode follows the gradual path that led Sammarinese women from exclusion to participation: from the first campaigns for the right to vote, to the creation of women’s committees and popular petitions, all the way to the historic reforms of the 1970s.

But this story is also full of contradictions. During the years of the social-communist government, it was often the left-wing parties that resisted women’s suffrage, fearing the influence of the Church on female voters. At the same time, many Christian Democratic women became leading voices in the fight for political rights.

From the debates surrounding legal equality and citizenship to the disappointment of delayed reforms, the Republic slowly opened its institutions to women. The right to vote arrived in 1959, but women had to wait until 1973 to gain the right to stand for election.

The episode also traces the emergence of the first female political leaders, from Myriam Michelotti, Clara Boscaglia and Fausta Morganti to Maria Lea Pedini, the first woman Captain Regent in San Marino’s history.

Behind these milestones lies a broader transformation: the gradual change of Sammarinese society itself, as education, work and public life increasingly reshaped the role of women within the Republic.

A small state confronting one of the great civil rights struggles of the twentieth century.

#SanMarino #History #TheOldestRepublic #Women #CivilRights

Welcome to the history of the oldest republic in the world.

Subscribe to our channels to follow the full series:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@storiainflanella/featured
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4zuAthwqVO4rRJffD6yzkr?si=3fff127dd1a3495f

This podcast is sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs of San Marino, with the support of the San Marino Centre for Historical Studies (University of San Marino).

The texts are based on L. Gorgolini, S. Pivato (eds.), History of San Marino, 2026. This episode is based on chapter 8: V. Rossi, Sammarinese Women and The Attainment of Women's Suffrage.

Author: Giuseppe Giardi
Hosts: Carlotta Serra Ciotti and Federica Ghirotti
Video: Luca Zucchi

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:00 The Historical Context
03:10 The Struggle for the Right to Vote
09:18 A Greater Participation
13:56 The First Woman to become Captain Regent

Dopo la tempesta dei Gracchi, a Roma sembra tornare la calma.
Le assemblee si riuniscono, i magistrati vengono eletti, la Repubblica ritrova una superficie di normalità. Ma sotto le ceneri, il fuoco continua a bruciare.

In questo finale di stagione raccontiamo la figura di Quinto Cecilio Metello, protagonista di una fase di restaurazione politica in cui la nobiltà senatoria sembra riprendere il controllo della Repubblica.

Tra la guerra in Numidia, la frattura con Gaio Mario e il tentativo di riaffermare il prestigio dell’élite tradizionale, la sua vicenda mostra una Roma solo apparentemente stabilizzata.

È il trionfo della nobiltà, ma solo per un momento.
Perché la crisi della Repubblica non è finita: sta solo cambiando forma.

Grazie di cuore per aver seguito questa stagione. Torneremo presto con la terza, per continuare a raccontare la storia della Repubblica romana, passo dopo passo.

I testi sono tratti dal libro "Roma Repubblicana: una storia in 40 vite" di Federico Santangelo, edito da Carocci editore nel 2019 👉 https://amzn.eu/d/244ueFU

Autori del podcast: Federico Santangelo e Giuseppe Giardi.
Video e grafiche: Luca Zucchi.

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#storia #storiaromana #romaantica #podcast

Capitoli
00:00 Una Restaurazione
02:54 I Metelli
05:30 Metello in Numidia
09:19 La Rottura
12:32 Numidico