Republic of Molossia (Esperanto: Respubliko de Molossia), also known as Molossia, is a micronation located in Dayton, Western Nevada, with land (referred to as Farfalla colony) near Alturas, California.
The nearest sizable city is Reno, 27 mi (43 km) away.
Understand
This is a one-person self-proclaimed micro-nation not recognized by the United Nations or the USA.
The languages spoken are US English and Esperanto.
Get in
Entry requirements
You are required to make a reservation in advance. The president sets specific dates for entry into the micronation; slots are available approximately once per month during tourist season (April–October). If you'd like to come on one of the upcoming dates, send an email to mininfo@molossia.org with the number of people in your party. Those wishing to visit can only stay a maximum of three hours, and one hour is plenty of time to see the sites.
At the front gate, there is a mini embassy called the 1 Custom House in the micronation's Red Square. Passports can be stamped, but this is not mandatory for entry.
Taking these items into Molossia is prohibited, as per their entry page on their website:
- Firearms, ammunition, and explosives
- Drugs and tobacco
- Incandescent lightbulbs
- Plastic shopping bags
- Catfish
- "Fresh" Spinach
- Missionaries and salesmen
- Onions
- Walruses
Bringing in prohibited items may result in a brief detention in the whimsical "Molossia Jail & Political Prison".
By car
From Reno: Take I-580 south, then NV-341 to Virginia City, then NV-79 (Six Mile Canyon Road) to Dayton.
By plane
2 Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO IATA) is the nearest major airport, around 30 mi (48 km) away.
Get around
Molossia is the size of a rural American residence and can be walked around easily on foot.
See
- 1 Government House. Residence of the president and his family.
- 2 Republic Square.
- 3 Red Square. Main center of business and commerce for the nation.
- Office of the President.
- The Water Tower.
- Time Capsule Marker.
- Peace Pole. Pole with "May Peace Prevail On Earth" written vertically in eight languages (English, Spanish, Italian, German, Chinese, Russian, Cherokee, and of course Esperanto).
- 4 The Tower of the Winds. Metal monument built to the winds.
- 5 Molossia Cemetery. Final resting place of the micronation's former dog residents.
Do
Buy
Exchange rates for Molossian Valora
As of September 2018:
Exchange rates fluctuate. Current rates for these and other currencies are available from http://www.molossia.org/bank.html |
The currency is called Valora (abbreviated to VL), which is Esperanto for worthy. The Valora is pegged to the US dollar (though the actual rate can fluctuate) by making a 30 oz (850 g) tube of Pillsbury chocolate chip cookie dough always worth 5 Valora. The currency's subunits are referred to as Futtrus, of which a 100 of these make a single Valora.
As with Sealand (another micronation), Molossia sells merchandise including signed photographs, postcards, t-shirts, and Valora currency.
- Molossia Trading Company, Red Square.
Eat and drink
- Tiki Hut Bar & Grill, Red Square. Open: "When We're Here", closed: "When We're Not". A small burger joint with a Polynesian theme. Serves burgers at 3 to 5 VL (~$2.40 to $4.00) with chips/fries (subject to availability), the micronation's signature cocktail The Molossolini for 2 VL (~$1.60), and lava cake for 2 VL (~$1.60).
Sleep
There is no public accommodation on the land of Molossia.
Dayton only has a RV park, but the nearby Virginia City has several hotels.
- 1 Dayton RV Park, 75 Pike Street East, ☏ +1 775 246 9300. From $40 a day and $252 a week (plus tax).
Alternatively Reno is the closest major city and has plenty of places to stay.
Connect
Stay safe
This area is regarded under US law as private land; do not enter without the owner's permission, or you might get shot. The owner also claims to still be at war with the eastern part of Germany (a NATO member) so citizens of Europe and North America should be cautious.