State Archives of San Marino Archivio di Stato della Repubblica di San Marino

Overview

The State Archives of San Marino (Italian: Archivio di Stato della Repubblica di San Marino) are the national archives of the Republic of San Marino, one of the world's oldest republics. Located at Contrada Omerelli in the historic centre of San Marino City, the archives preserve the documentary and archival heritage of the republic across more than eight centuries of continuous statehood.

History and Founding

The national archives of San Marino trace their institutional roots to the 17th century, though the formal body as known today was established in 1949 as part of the Istituti Culturali under the Department of Education and Culture of San Marino. The records themselves include materials dating from the 13th century, reflecting the republic's long and largely uninterrupted history. Among the treasures of the collection, in 1749, the Placito Feretrano, an 11th-century document, was discovered in the holdings.

Collections and Holdings

The archives hold the full documentary record of San Marino's political, legal, ecclesiastical, and civic institutions, including government acts, notarial records, property documents, census records spanning 1772 to 1947, and records of civil administration. Digitization efforts are ongoing, with census and stati d'anime records available through a registered online portal. The archives sit in Palazzo Valloni, which also houses the State Library and Book Patrimony.

Notable Materials

The archive holds records relevant to genealogical research and regional history. Census records dating to the 18th century and civil registers are of particular interest to researchers tracing San Marinese family history. The archives also contain materials related to San Marino's position during the Second World War.

Access and Usage

The archives are open to the public Monday through Friday, from 08:30 to 14:00. Researchers can access documents on-site; an online portal allows registered users to search digitized census and parish records. Contact the archives in advance for research inquiries.