Guaita

The fortress is the oldest of the three towers constructed on Monte Titano in the 11th century. In the San Marinese dialect means "to stand guard." It is also the most famous and imposing of the three peaks.

The fortress was reinforced several times in the following centuries and was rebuilt in the late 1400s. In the 16th century a sloping roof was added. The fortress is protected by double walls, the first one having battlements and having towers at the gate and on the corners. The fortress was often used to shelter people from sieges. Some rooms in the inner wall were used as a prison for people who's sentences were less than 6 months. It served that purpose up until October 1970. You can also find the chapel of Saint Barbara, the patron saint of artillery and artillerymen.^[1]

Most of the inner wall is taken up by the bell tower and the main tower. The innermost part of the fortress is taken up by the mastio, the oldest part of the fortress. It has remained unchanged overtime. The upper gate can be reached by a staircase and is defended by a bertesca from 1481. In the outer courtyard are 2 mortars and 2 75mm cannons, gifts from Victor Emmanuel II and Victor Emmanuel III. The 75mm cannons are used by the Guard of the Rock to fire blanks on holidays.^[1]

It is depicted on both the national flag and coat of arms

It is registered as a World Heritage Site since 2008.^[2][3]

• Cesta (2nd tower)
• Montale (3rd tower)
• Three Towers of San Marino
• Torta Tre Monti

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  Large view
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  Main entrance
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  External view, in the foreground the defensive wall that almost hides the Guaita tower.
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  Large view of Guaita Fortress