Guaita Tower

About this place

Guaita Tower, also called the Rocca, is a stone fortress on the edge of a sheer cliff on Monte Titano above the City of San Marino. Double battlemented walls and a square central tower look over the plain and hills down to the Adriatic. It is the first, oldest and best known of the Three Towers, shown on the national flag and coat of arms. The tower was built in the 11th century, and its name means to stand guard in the local dialect. It was strengthened many times, rebuilt in the late 15th century during the war with the Malatesta family, and given a sloping roof in the 16th century. Some rooms served as a prison for short sentences until October 1970. It is part of the San Marino Historic Centre and Mount Titano World Heritage Site. You pass through the gate into the inner courtyard between the walls, see the cannons and mortars, then climb the stairs into the central tower. From the top the view sweeps over the cliff, the town and the plain to the Rimini coast. Inside is a small chapel of Saint Barbara. The tower is 270 m from the Palazzo Pubblico and 330 m from Cesta Tower along a cliff-edge path. Guides give about €9 for a combined Guaita and Cesta ticket, and about €5 for a last-minute ticket after 4 pm. The stairs inside are narrow and steep.