Europe

Flag of San Marino

San Marino is a landlocked microstate entirely surrounded by Italy, and according to tradition was founded in 301 AD, making it the world's oldest republic still in existence. Its territory consists of the slopes of Mount Titano, topped by three medieval fortified towers that have overlooked the surrounding Italian plain for centuries. Despite being completely surrounded by Italian territory, San Marino maintains its own government, passport, and distinct national identity.

CapitalSan Marino City
RegionEurope
Current flag since2011
Main coloursBlue, White
Populationabout 34,000
Areaabout 61 km²
GeographyLandlocked
Flags in history2

Population and area are rounded.

What the flag of San Marino means

White and blue stand for the snow on Mount Titano and the sky above it, or for peace and liberty. The coat of arms shows three towers on the three peaks of Monte Titano, topped by a crown that stands for sovereignty, with the motto “Libertas”. San Marino describes itself as the world's oldest surviving republic, traditionally founded in 301 AD.

More about the flag

San Marino is an enclave surrounded by Italy, perched on Monte Titano. The three towers on its coat of arms, Guaita, Cesta and Montale, still stand on the mountain's three peaks. The state flag carries the coat of arms, while a plain white-over-blue version is used as the civil flag. The flag was adopted in 1862, and a law of 2011 set its exact design.

How to recognise it

Horizontal white-over-light blue with a coat of arms in the centre.

Did you know?

San Marino claims to be the world's oldest republic, founded in 301 AD.

Easily confused with

San Marino's flag is often mixed up with these. Learn to tell them apart:

Liechtenstein

Flag history of San Marino

Every flag that has flown over San Marino, from today back through time.

2011–present

White-blue with arms

A Constitutional Law of 2011 definitively fixed the flag and slightly refined the arms. White stands for peace and blue for liberty; the arms show three towers on Monte Titano beneath the motto LIBERTAS.