Did you know that the Vatican City isn’t the only sovereign nation located within Italy’s borders?

This country is San Marino.

Located entirely within the borders of Italy, San Marino is one of three remaining city-states in the world. Despite its size of only 24 square miles, San Marino is an entirely sovereign nation with its own parliament and constitution. In fact, its constitution was signed in 1600 and is the oldest constitution still in effect in the entire world.

San Marino’s biggest draw is its stunning castle perched atop a hill, but it also has an elaborate torture museum and a truly fascinating history. After all, it has managed to stay independent from the rest of Italy, and it has been a country since 301 AD! Visiting San Marino from Italy is extremely easy, as the two countries share a currency, language, and open borders.