San Marino patron saint identified in Venice mosaic

A 13th-century mosaic located in Saint Mark's Basilica in Venice has been identified as a depiction of Saint Marino, the founder and patron saint of the Republic of San Marino. The mosaic, dated to the period between 1260 and 1270, features a half-length figure and includes the Latin inscription ‘S[AN]C[TV]S MARIN[VS]’.

The identification was confirmed by Professor Alberto Peratoner, Director of the Office for the Pastoral Care of Culture of the Patriarchal Curia of Venice, following research conducted by Sister Maria Gloria Riva.

To mark the discovery, the Captains Regent of San Marino, Alice Mina and Vladimiro Selva, led an institutional delegation to Venice. They were accompanied by the Secretary of State for Culture, Teodoro Lonfernini, and the Consul of San Marino in Venice, Lorenza Mel. The delegation participated in a ceremony alongside Venetian ecclesiastical and civil authorities, including the Procurator of Saint Mark's Basilica, Chiara Boldrin, and Vice Prefect Giuseppe Vivola.