La Rocca - Città di San Marino, SM
Posted by: 
hykesj
N 43° 56.185 E 012° 26.885
33T E 295181 N 4867976
The Torre Campanario (bell tower) of the Guaita fortress appears on several values of an early set of definitive postage stamps of San Marino.
Waymark Code: WM19289
Location: San Marino
Date Posted: 11/12/2023
Views: 3
The Guaita fortress is one of the three towers of San Marino and dates from the eleventh century when it was built to guard against invaders. It has, of course, seen many renovations and alterations over the years. The bell tower seen on the stamp was a much later addition. In stamp catalogues, this structure is described by its colloquial name, ‘La Rocca’ or ‘the Rock.’ Alcatraz in San Francisco Bay is also colloquially called ‘the rock,’ and like Alcatraz, La Rocca also served as a prison. In fact, when these stamps were issued in 1929, it was still serving as the state prison and did so up until 1970.
As the first of San Marino’s three tower fortresses, Guaita serves as a symbol of the tiny republic and is part of its coat of arms. It has also appeared on many San Marino postage stamps from many different angles. This stamp shows the bell tower as viewed from the northwest.
Stamp Issuing Country: San Marino
Date of Issue: 28-Mar-1929
Denomination: 75c
Color: deep red & gray black
Stamp Type: Single Stamp
Relevant Web Site: Not listed
|
Visit Instructions:
To post a visit log for this category, you must visit the actual site of the waymark. Post at least one photo that you personally took of the site if at all possible. If you cannot provide a photo for some reason, your visit will still be welcome.
You do NOT need to be a stamp collector to visit the waymark site, nor do you have to provide a photo of the stamp. Just having a copy of the stamp in question, however, is not sufficient; you must personally visit the site.