Friday, July 2, 2010

The National Anthem of San Marino


San Marino claims to be the oldest recorded sovereign state and constitutional republic in the world, as the continuation of the monastic community founded on 3 September 301 by stonecutter Marinus of Rab. Legend has it that Marinus left Rab, then the Roman colony of Arba, in 257 when the future emperor, Diocletian, issued a decree calling for the reconstruction of the city walls of Rimini, which had been destroyed by Liburnian pirates.


The melody of the San Marino's anthem, "Inno Nazionale de la Repubblica", is based on a 10th century chorale. The music was created by San Marinese violinist and composer Federico Consolo and adopted in 1894. Before 1894, a national anthem reminiscent of the Italian anthem was in used. It was composed by Aur. Muccioli and written by U. Balsimelli. The present anthem has no official lyrics, but there are unofficial lyrics written by Giosuè Carducci, a poet and teacher who became the first Italian to win a Nobel Prize in Literature in 1906. Although the anthem is little known and scarcely heard within the wider European Community, the Inno Nazionale is regularly played in the streets of San Marino City by the musicians of the Military Ensemble during national and religious festivals.

Above is an early postcard featuring the score of the San Marino National Anthem. The printing date and cancel is unclear. Below, is a stamp from Italy featuring Giosue Carducci, the unofficial anthem lyricist.