Coin set proof

San Marino has no single constitutional document in the modern sense. Its constitutional order is based on several sources of law, including the Statutes of 1600, customary law and later legislation. The Declaration adopted in 1974 by the Great and General Council (Großen und Allgemeinen Rat), the parliament of the Republic, supplemented this historical order with a systematic catalogue of fundamental rights and principles of constitutional law. Among other things, it regulates equality, personal freedom, political and social rights, as well as the obligation of state organs to abide by the law.

This provided the small state with a modern constitutional framework without replacing its traditional institutional order with a completely new constitution. A reform in 2002 strengthened the status of the Declaration and constitutional review. Responsibility for this lies with the “Collegio Garante della Costituzionalità delle Norme”, which can examine laws for their compatibility with the fundamental norms.

The Palazzo Pubblico stands on Piazza della Libertà in the capital San Marino. The present building was constructed in the late 19th century to plans by the Roman architect Francesco Azzurri and replaced an older municipal administrative building. It houses central state institutions, including the Great and General Council (Großen und Allgemeinen Rat). It also serves the Capitani Reggenti, the two heads of state elected for six-month terms, as their official residence and venue for official ceremonies.

The Statue of Liberty in the square is not connected with the New York statue of the same name. The figure, made of Carrara marble, was created by the sculptor Stefano Galletti and donated to San Marino in the 19th century by Otilia Heyroth Wagener. Its crown depicts the three towers that also appear on the coat of arms and represent the fortresses of Guaita, Cesta and Montale.

The selection of these symbols links the anniversary with San Marino’s state order: the parliament and government building refers to the institutions, the figure of liberty to the republican self-image, and the Declaration to its legal protection.