Seborga
Seborga is a small town of 320 people in northwest Italy, near the French border. While it is a part of Italy, it is notable for having voted to become an independent micronation called the Principality of Seborga, ruled by a "prince" who was known locally as Sua Tremendità ('His Tremendousness') until his death in 2009. He was replaced by Prince Marcello, who was elected in 2010. Prince Marcello was then succeeded by his ex-wife, Nina Menegatto, who is self-styled as Her Serene Highness Princess Nina, and assumed the position in 2019.
Seborga has its own flag, anthem, postage stamps, and currency, the luigino, a souvenir currency that is accepted for payment in the village. The postage stamps issued by the micronation cannot be used to send mail as they are not recognized by the town's post office, which is operated by Poste Italiane.
Understand
[edit]Seborga sits in an olive- and flower-growing region, and benefits from tourist interest in the self-proclaimed principality.
Seborfa's claim to sovereignty dates from 1964, when the head of the local flower growers' co-operative began promoting the idea that Seborga had existed as a sovereign state of Italy since 954, and that from 1079 it was a principality of the Holy Roman Empire. According to this claim, Seborga was not included in the 1861 Italian unification, and that it should be recognised as a sovereign principality. The claim has generally not been taken seriously, and is widely viewed as a ruse to attract tourists to the town.
Tourist information
[edit]- Seborga municipal government tourism website
Get in
[edit]By plane
[edit]The principality does not have an airport. The closest airports are in Genoa and Pisa, Italy, and in Nice, France.
By car
[edit]Seborga is on route SP57 north of the E80 highway that runs between Genoa and Nice. At the Bordighera interchange, follow Via Generale Vincenzo Rossi 9 km north from Le Mimose.
Seborga is 20 km (30 minutes) northeast of Ventimiglia, or 23 km (40 minutes) away from San Remo.
By train
[edit]The nearest train station is 13 km away at Bordighera - about a 3-hour walk.
Get around
[edit]
The town covers less than 5 km2, so it is walkable for most people.
See
[edit]- Piazza San Martino — Seborga's compact medieval square
- Museo strumenti musicali Seborga — museum of musical instruments with 135 instruments dating from the 18th to 21st centuries
- Chiesa San Martino — St. Martin's church, a baroque 17th-century church on the main square, with frescoes and mosaics.
- Chiesa de San Bernardo, at the entrance to the village.
Do
[edit]- Festival of San Sebastiano, 20 January
- Festival of San Bernardo, 20 August — celebrates the principality's claimed independence.
- Festival of San Martino, 11 November
Buy
[edit]Money
[edit]|
Exchange rates for Seborgan luigini
As of January 2024:
Exchange rates fluctuate. Current rates for these and other currencies are available from XE.com |
The Principality of Seborga has issued its own currency, the luigino (ISO code: SPL), divided into 100 centisimi.
Luigini may be accepted by some businesses in Seborga, but they are not accepted or exchangeable outside of the town. The euro is the generally accepted currency.
Luigini are sold as coins and banknotes, fixed to the US dollar at a rate of 1 luigino = US$6. Coins were issued between 1995 and 1997 with the effigy of Prince Giorgio in values of 5 centesimi, 15 centesimi, 1/2 luigino (50 centesimi), 1 luigino, and 7½ luigini. Coins with the effigy of the new prince, Marcello, were issued in 2012 and 2013 with values of 1, 2 and 2½ luigini. Coins bearing an image of princess Nina were issued in 2021 for 1½ luigini. A 3-luigini banknote bearing an image of princess Nina was issued in 2023.
Souvenirs
[edit]- Tourist Information Centre, Via A. Maccario 1, turismo@proseborga.it. F-Su 10:30-13:30. It sells Seborga tourist passports.
Eat and drink
[edit]- Ristorante Marcellino's, Via Miranda 2, Seborga. Great view. €14-18 for starters and first course, €18-26 for main dishes.
- Osteria del Coniglio, Via G. Verdi 7, Seborga. Coniglio (rabbit) is its specialty.
Sleep
[edit]- SB Bed and Breakfast, Strada per Negi 2/a, Seborga. Private bathroom, shared kitchen, free parking, wifi. double €90/night with breakfast.
- Agriturismo Monaci Templarri, Strada Della Villa 11d, Seborga. Private bath, tennis, free parking, wifi. double €47/night.
- B&B Gabu, Strada Dormiello 3, Seborga. Shared bath, free parking, wifi. twin €50/night.