San Marino is the European microstate completely surrounded by Italy and crowned by Mount Titano as its highest point.
Monte Titano rises to about 739 metres in the Apennines, close to the Adriatic coast. The capital, also called San Marino, occupies the mountain's western slopes and ridge. Its three summits carry the republic's famous medieval towers: Guaita, Cesta and Montale.
San Marino traces its traditional foundation to Saint Marinus, a Christian stonecutter who is said to have established a religious community there in the early fourth century. Its isolated mountain position helped the small republic preserve its autonomy through centuries of political change in the Italian peninsula.
A common mix-up is confusing San Marino with Vatican City or Monaco, both also European microstates. Vatican City is enclosed by Rome, while Monaco lies on the Mediterranean coast; neither is surrounded by Italy as an independent country. Monte Titano and San Marino's historic centre became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.