Things I didn't expect to see In San Marino

                                            Mafia, Torture and Other Sights in San Marino

       Last night when we arrived in San Marino I explained how a policewoman stopped us and wouldn't let us go into the old city. It seems there was to be a large protest that night in front of the Piazza Pubblica where the Governor lived.

The Governor's Palace

They were protesting the influence of the Mafia on the local police. It is very new to San Marino and the people don't want them involved in their lives like in much of Italy. San Marino, another World Heritage site, has always been a home of peace and neutrality. It has it's own Statue of Liberty, made Abraham Lincoln a honorary citizen in 1860 and was a haven for about 100,000 refugees during World War Two, so it was natural that they don't want Mafia/police involvement.
       The view from our window was spectacular as we could see for miles, even to the ocean when the sun was out.

Miles and Miles of Fields

As we set out for our 'tourist' thing this morning we were dressed in sweaters and jackets and carried umbrellas. Though they were necessary at times we could also had shorts and T-shirts on when the sun came out. We saw where they held the ancient/modern crossbow competitions.

Crossbow Viewing Area

The most exciting thing of the day for me was the Museo della Tortura.

Nightmares Tonight?

Being a history buff and researching a topic about torture for one of my books I was extremely satisfied to see the racks, the finger choppers, the chair of spikes, a metal chastity belt, executioner's swords and the infamous Judas Cradle. The pictures will speak for themselves. It was disturbing to note that most of these were aimed against women who were blasphemous, adulterers and thieves. Such torture still goes on in several countries today.


The Judas Cradle- right up the rectum or other orifices!

These Could Solve the Birth Control Issue

This Could Hurt Anywhere It was Put

Just Some Everyday Necklaces

They Sat You Down and Tightened Everything Up

Executioner's Swords- still used today!

Finger Torture

If You Survived It Made You Grow an Inch

      There were towers that guarded the cities and stone gates that served as entrance points along it's wall.

The Great Wall

We did get to see the changing of the guard at the Governor's Palace.

Changing the Guard-Quite Impressive

I almost walked to the top of the tower but remembered the promise I made to my legs in Plitvice and the look on Lynda's face when she saw how steep it was turned out to be the deciding factor.

Too Steep For Our Legs

       For all my teacher friends, in the last two days the city has been filled with school field trips from all over the area. Not only elementary, but middle and high school age.
      Tomorrow we are headed to a farm in Italy, Le Marche province, where we will stay for five days and do what we want.