Prima Torre, la Guaita

Its core dates back to the 11th century: it was the guard post and refuge of the first inhabitants of Monte Titano, and is one of the oldest fortresses in Italy. The name comes from a word that San Marino people still use today: fare la guaita, meaning to stand guard.

It has two rings of walls. The outer one, crenellated and reinforced by towers at the corners, was part of the city's first circuit of walls. The inner one, the oldest, has a raised entrance and encloses the Bell Tower, the Torre della Penna and the garrison quarters. Above the gate you can still see the channels for the drawbridge chains.

The tower reached its greatest importance in the 15th century, during the war against the Malatesta of Rimini. For centuries part of the fortress was used as a prison, until the 1970s: the small cells now house temporary exhibitions.

Climb the Torre della Penna, the ancient pentagonal watchtower: from up there you see the Second Tower, the plain stretching to the Adriatic shore, Monte Conero on clear days and Monte Carpegna to the south. The ticket is the State Museums Pass, which is also valid for the Second Tower.