News

San Marino in the UNESCO's World Heritage List

The site “San Marino: Historic Centre and Mount Titano” has become part of the UNESCO’s World Heritage.
The decision was taken yesterday during the 32nd Session of the UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee composed of 21 Countries convened in Quebec.
The official announcement was given by the Secretaries of State playing a role to obtain this recognition, namely Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Fiorenzo Stolfi, Secretary of State for Culture, Francesca Michelotti, Secretary of State for Territory, Marino Riccardi, and Secretary of State for Tourism, Antonello Bacciocchi.
The first contacts were established in 2003 and already in December 2004 San Marino presented its candidature in the so-called Tentative List.
Besides the Secretariats of State, officials from various sectors of the Public Administration as well as San Marino experts were involved in the subsequent activities and they contributed to the preparation of a voluminous dossier, necessary to submit San Marino’s candidature to the severe examination of UNESCO’s experts.
The Secretaries of State wanted first of all to thank Ambassador Miss Edith Tamagnini, Representative of San Marino to the UNESCO, who followed the complex procedure for San Marino addition to the list. She is still in Canada where the Meeting marking this extraordinary success of our Country is being held.
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Fiorenzo Stolfi, stressed the intense diplomatic activity conducted by the Department of Foreign Affairs, in particular through the diplomatic seats of New York, Strasbourg, Geneva and Rome, to obtain the necessary support for San Marino success. “This result is extraordinary”, said Stolfi, “not only for its positive impact on tourism, the preservation of our historic centre and the prestige for our Country, but also because it represents a worldwide recognition of the historical and institutional uniqueness of San Marino, its cultural heritage which has become heritage of mankind”.
Besides expressing their gratitude to all persons who contributed in synergy, at all levels, to achieving this result, the Government Representatives highlighted the need and opportunity to enhance and take advantage of San Marino presence in the UNESCO’s World Heritage.


San Marino, 8 July 2008