Sub umbra sedi (Latin) ("I sat in the Shade") | ||||||||
| Anthem | "La Speranza" | |||||||
| Capital (and largest city) |
Sanremo | |||||||
| Other Cities | Seborga, Taggia and Ospedaletti | |||||||
| Language Official |
Italian, alongside French for administrative and economical use | |||||||
| Others | Ligurian, English and Monégasque | |||||||
| Religion Main |
Christianity | |||||||
| Others | Atheism and others | |||||||
| Ethnic Groups Main |
Italian | |||||||
| Others | Monégasque, French and others | |||||||
| Demonym | Seborgan | |||||||
| Government | Semi-constitutional elective monarchy within Montecarlo | |||||||
| Prince | Marcello | |||||||
| Royal house | Menegatto | |||||||
| Seneschal | Enrico Ilariuzzi | |||||||
| Area | 139,4 km² | |||||||
| Population | 55,210 | |||||||
| Established | 27 September 1983 | |||||||
| Admission | 1989 | |||||||
| Currency | Monegasque franc (Fr) | |||||||
| Time Zone | + 1 | |||||||
The Principality of Seborga (Principato di Seborga in Italian and Principauté de Seborga in French) is an Italian microstate, one of the dependent communities that surround the core lands of Monaco. It has grown beyond the boundaries of the pre-Doomsday commune, but it's still very small: it comprises the territory of the communes of Seborga, Taggia, Ceriana, Bordighera, Ospedaletti and Sanremo.
History []
Background[]
Before Doomsday Seborga stood out among other Italian villages in that it claimed to be an independent country. Supporters of the Principality claim that it was never legally sold by its Prince-Abbot in 1729. In 1961, the people of Seborga elected Giorgio Carbone to be Giorgio I, Prince of Seborga. The Principality was never recognized by anyone outside of the small community of micronationalists around the world.
Doomsday[]
The province of Imperia was not hit by the nuclear bombs, but it suffered nuclear fallout from Provence and a refugee crisis, like most other parts of Europe. On May 14th, 1985, in the Palace of the Monks (Palazzo dei Monaci), the Principality reasserted its independence from Italy. It declared itself - for real, this time - to be a sovereign and independent nation.
Seborga faced grave challenges from the beginning. The town faced a famine, which the Council of Seborga sought to prevent by instituting tight controls over agriculture and rations. This was only partially successful. In 1984 the Council approved a new constitution for the state, the General Statute.
From 1985, the social cohesiveness provided by the Principality attracted some neighboring regions to Seborga. The town was then under the protection of the Carabinieri, alongside the local police and the newly formed Corps of the Guards, a volunteer foot guard created under the request of the Prince, thanks to their position already by late 1983 it attracted the attention of struggling bands of Italian soldiers and Carabinieri, who agreed to cooperate with the self-declared principality and the municipality of Seborga. They began to threaten some of the violent groups who had become active in the nearby mountains and led an expedition to Bordighera, the nearest coastal town, to dislodge another group. On 10 November 1983, the people of Bordighera agreed to unite with the Principality; this was the start of its physical expansion toward the east. By 1986 it had incorporated the communes of Sanremo, Taggia and Ceriana. Sanremo, the most populous commune of the province before Doomsday, was already partly abandoned by this time. It was also claimed by Genoa, so this annexation sparked a long border dispute with the republic.
The Monegasque protectorate[]
Despite these gains, Seborga lacked the resources to fully defend itself and its territory. In 1987 it concluded an alliance with Monaco, a neighboring principality that like Seborga was working to stabilize its surrounding countryside. But unlike Seborga, Monaco could boast several centuries of uninterrupted independence; it had the infrastructure of a sovereign state, albeit a very small one. This had allowed Monaco to attract a sizable contingent of French military forces. In its relations with Seborga, Monaco was very obviously the senior partner. A series of agreements reduced Seborga to essentially dependent status by the end of the decade. It's been said that the Principality of Seborga's vassal status was what inspired Monaco's Prince Rainier to promote himself to a King.
In the spring of 1989, Sicily began its first attempt to take over northern Italy; this served to unite most of the surviving communities of the north in a war that halted the island republic's advance. Monaco stayed out of the war, but it used the confusion as an occasion to formalize its claim over Seborga's expanded territory, including the port of Sanremo. Monegasque troops reinforced local Seborgans to solidify their control of the west end of Liguria. The following year, 1990, a Genoese and Italian delegation came to Seborga and was received by the prince. Neither Prince Giorgio, nor King Rainier entertained the thought of ceding Sanremo, and the talks ended angrily. Nevertheless, the Genoese visit opened access to news of the wider region.
In the mid-90s, with Monaco's borders more secure, it no longer was seen as necessary that the capital remain in the village of Seborga itself. The prince and government relocated to Sanremo, which thanks to its harbor was again the largest town within the former province. This of course only angered the Genoese further; the issue has never been resolved.
New Millennium[]
Prince Giorgio I of Seborga at San Remo in the 2000.
The new millennium has brought prosperity and stability to Seborga under Monegasque protection. The population and economy have slowly begun to recover. On the other hand, the policies of Monaco and the harsh realities of the region meant that Seborga would remain highly militarized. Seborga has the same intense conscription laws as the other Monegasque states: service is mandatory for adult males between 18 years and 40 years of age, resulting in a rather large force for its size.
Prince Marcello I of Seborga, elected by the people of Seborga in 2010.
As the largest Monegasque dependency on the Italian side of the old border, Seborga has kept up an interest in Italian affairs. Monaco began a wary cooperation with the Alpine Confederation in the early 2000s as it became clear that Sicily was the greater threat. Alpine forces made use of the port of Sanremo several times to support maneuvers against Sicily.
Monaco did not participate directly in the Second Sicily War of 2009-2011. But after it ended, Seborga offered a contingent of 50 troops to help keep the peace in Lazio. This has meant cooperation with the IPA, though to date neither Monaco nor Seborga has considered joining it as a member - the territorial conflict with Genoa being a major barrier to membership.
A WCRB and LoN team was received by the prince for visit Seborga for a week, they gave congratulations for the excellent work of done by the principality.
An envoy from the World Census and Reclamation Bureau passed through Seborga after Monaco joined the League of Nations in 2010. The report noted the principality's healthy economy and strong public health.
On 25 April 2010, Marcello Menegatti was elected prince Marcello I after the death of Prince Giorgio I from a disease. The new prince has sought to modernize and expand the economy and has traveled widely in the region, beginning with a trip to Corsica shortly after his election.
Government []
According to Article 1 of the General Statutes (The constitution of the Principality), adopted April 23, 1984, "The Principality of Seborga is free and sovereign, governed by democratic norms". The form of government is a parliamentary constitutional elective monarchy.
The Council of Seborga is a the unicameral parliament. It is headed by a Seneschal and consists of 25 members, elected by the citizens. The current Seneschal is Enrico Ilariuzzi, elected since 2018. The Council holds the power to approve laws, changes to the General Statutes, and the budget of the Principality. It also has de jure power to approve international conventions, though it has ceded much of this power to Monaco.
The head of state is the Prince, who is elected by the people for a term of seven years; reelection is permitted. In case of vacancy of the Prince, the Seneschal temporarily acts as head of state. He or she can also be consulted by the Prince on international relations.
The Cabinet holds the executive power. Has 7 members: four elected by the Council of Seborga and three appointed by the Prince; the Prince and Seneschal bring the total up to 9. Cabinet members have a mandate of five years and can be re-elected only for two terms.
Since the acquisition of Sanremo and the expansion of the principality the princes had moved their official residence in the city of Sanremo, the biggest in the ex-Province of Imperia. Several palaces are now propriety of the crown, mainly located in Sanremo and Seborga proper.
The official residence of the monarchy is Borea d'Olmo Palace, built at different times, starting from a house from the late Middle Ages, the palace, in the central via Matteotti a few meters from the Ariston theater, took on its current appearance between the 17th and 18th centuries, and is one of the most important buildings baroque of western Liguria. The sixteenth-century portal is surmounted by a statue of the Madonna del Montorsoli, a pupil of Michelangelo, as well as seventeenth-century frescoes by Giovanni Battista Merano. Other residences owned by the crown are the Palace of the Monks, in Seborga, the structure, over the centuries, was used as the local residence of the monks of Lerino, seat of the mint of the ancient principality, and in more recent times as the former seat of the town hall and state schools. Today it is used as the official winter residence for the royal family and Villa Nobel, in Sanremo, built in 1870 the chemist Pietro Vaccheri from Rivoli had an elegant building built on the east coast of the city which "for the speed and elegance of its forms appeals to the most scrupulous in wanting to comply with the rules of art". In Moorish style, this was the last residence of Alfred Nobel, who bought it in 1892, renovated it (based on a project by Pio Soli) by raising it by one floor, renamed "Villa Mio Nido" and where he moved mainly for health reasons.
Political parties of the Council of Seborga []
- Seborgan Monarchist Party (Partito monarchico Seborghino) : 15/25
- Socialist Party (Partito Socialista) : 5/25
- United for Seborga (Uniti per Seborga) : 3/25
- Seborgan Social Moviment (Movimento Sociale Seborghino) : 2/25
Economy []
The currency of Seboga is the Monegasque franc (Fr).
Key industries of the principality include fishing, boat building, shipping, and ceramics. The main agricultural products are wine, cheese and wheat. Education, healthcare, television communications, transport, energy industry and culture are under control of the government.
The main trading partners of Seborga are Monaco, Corsica, Italy the Subalpine Federation, Genoa, Tuscany and the Alpine Confederation.
Communications []
The main television service of the Principality is Seborga TV, which is under the control of the state. Since the late 2000s it growth to three channels thanks to Monegasque assistance. The studios of Seborga TV are located in Sanremo. They used the previous machinery and the offices of the ex-studios of the RAI.
The new logo of the Seborga TV, adopted in 2010.
- Seborga TV 1 (Generalist)
- Seborga TV 2 (Generalist : Targeted at a young audience)
- Seborga TV 3 (Generalist : Tuned to sports, documentaries and deepening)
Seborga can also receive the signals of the television and radio of the Alpine Confederation, the Subalpine Federation, Genoa, Monaco and Tuscany. Seborga TV can be also broadcast its signal in Monaco and Genoa.
Seborga also has a radio service, Radio Seborga, which is under control of the state. Radio Seborga can also broadcast its signal in Monaco, the Subalpine Federation and in Genoa. There are also some private radio stations in the state.
The main newspaper of the principality is the Gazzetta of Seborga which is under private control. It is printed daily.
Administrative regions[]
Seborga is divided into the following five municipalities, known locally as Contea (meaning "county").
- Ceriana
- Bordighera
- Seborga
- Sanremo
- Ospedaletti
- Taggia
Each county is administrated by a prefect, elected by its citizens for seven years. The chief magistrate of a commune is the mayor, elected by the citizens of a city or in special case nominated by the prefect. He is assisted by a Municipal Consul, composed of five councilors named by the Mayor.
Military[]
Defense forces[]
The original nucleus of the Seborgan security forces was composed by the local volunteers of the Corpo della Guardia, from the Carabinieri and Police presence in Bordighera and also from the soldiers of the logistical base of Sanremo, those who decided to leave the city anyhow.
From the unification of the Italian law enforcements and military with the Guard of Seborga the Prince's Corp of Carabiniers (Corpo dei Carabinieri del Principe - Corps des Carabiniers du Prince) was born on the 14th of May 1986 at Seborga, the Prince's Corp is a Gendarmerie and is modeled after both the Italian Carabinieri and the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince of Montecarlo, currently the force has 550 full-time members and their duties consists in the protection of the Prince's palaces and of his/her family, ensuring the protection of the prince, to assist law enforcements in time of need and also provide help in case of natural catastrophes or similar events. It's part of the Seborgan Defense Forces, the combined armed forces of the principality.
The Carabiniers were the first standardized and unformed military issued by Seborga, in the 90s with the help of Montecarlo and the Alpines in a minor way the monarchy was able to form the Seborgan Defense Forces (Forze di Difesa Seborghine - Forces de Défense Séborghines), the force is composed by the Army Headquarters, Defense Forces and the Reserve Forces and they are tasked with the protection of the principality and to be prepared in case of war with any foreign opponent, they are also tasked with the assistance during peacetime in natural disasters and to do service works that can be useful to the nation and to his citizens. The main HQ of the Seborgan military is the Fort of St. Tecla, in the city of Sanremo and since the formation of the military force the fortification return to his original purpose, that of defence and to be a military installation.
Currently the SDF consists of 14,000 officers and soldiers; 4,000 are part of the Defense Forces and the 10,000 remaining are part of the Reserve Forces. They are assisted by the Armed Forces of Monaco and under previous treaties they are allowed to stay in the territory for helping in case of an attack; the Monégasque Military Mission was established first in 1996 for assisting the Seborgan forces in the formation of the military forces and the shape of technical assistance, the current personnel of the MMM is of 50 soldiers.
Organization[]
Army Headquarters[]
- General Staff
- Intelligence Company
- Communications Battalion
- Transport Battalion
- Special Forces Company
- Sniper Company
- Engineering Company
- Security Company
- Prince's Cuirassiers
- Military Brass Band
Defense Forces[]
- 1st Battalion
- 2nd Battalion
- 3rd Battalion
- 4th Battalion
- Prince's Corp of Carabiniers
- Defense Air Corps
- Coast Guard
Reserve Forces[]
- 5th Battalion
- 6th Battalion
- 7th Battalion
- 8th Battalion
- 9th Battalion
- 10th Battalion
- Air Reserve
- Coast Guard Reserve
Equipment[]
All the equipment used by the Seborgan military is foreign made and supplied either by Monaco or by the Alpine Confederation, because there is no heavy industry in the principality it has to import everything that it need for defense or use older equipment, the military are still using a lot of ex-Italian equipment still for example, but modernization is a high priority for the government of the small state.
The standard issued rifle of the Defence Forces is the SIG SG 510, previously used by Monaco and now supplied by the Alpine Confederation too, the force still use other Italian weapons in their inventory such as the Beretta BM-59 and the PM.12 SMG. Also in the use there are a dozens or so of helicopters, mainly ex-Italian ones, twenty APCs, seven PT boats and several jeeps and motorcycles, prevelant is also the use of horses for the patrolling of the territory and in public security.
The main battle uniform of the defense forces remain the Italian, but locally produced M75 "Roma" uniform, with the standard issued helmet being the M33 helmet, alongside black boots. The uniform of the Carabiniers instead is composed by a grey peaked cap, blue shirt with black tie, white bandolier with a black pair of pants and black boots either tucked into the pants or not, the winter version comprehend also a grey-green jacket.
Internal Security []
A Seborgan policeman at the borders of state with Monaco in the 2005.
The Seborgan Police (Polizia di Seborga) as the public security authorities, ensure public order and safety, provide relief to public and private entities in the event of accidents, and seek the peaceful resolution of disputes between individuals. The Seborgan Police are equipped with a pistol and a police baton for crowd control and in special cases, with submachineguns and shotguns.
International Relations[]
The Kingdom of Monaco is responsible overall for Seborga's relations with other nations; but the Principality has a limited capacity to act on its own behalf. In general Seborga seeks greater engagement with the rest of Italy and with the Alpine Confederation than the relatively isolationist establishment in Monaco. This has been a source of tension between the kingdom and its dependency, in particular during times of war between the A.C. and Sicily.
Seborga has engaged in limited bilateral relations with the Subalpine Federation, Corsica, Tuscany, and the Alpine Confederation. The Prince frequently travels on missions of goodwill, and in this capacity he is seen as a useful representative of King Albert of Monaco.
The border dispute with Genoa is a long-simmering issue that continues to limit the extent that Seborga can engage with its neighbors. Genoa's claim amounts to a big majority of the Principality's area and population, including its capital. The only parts of the principality that Genoa does not claim are the villages of Ospedaletti and Seborga itself; furthermore the Republic refuses to negotiate this point until a plebiscite is held in the zone. Monaco has not complied with this request, arguing that the lands were annexed at a time when the Genoese Republic had no presence whatsoever in the area, and that most of the current residents moved in when it was firmly under Seborgan and Monegasque control.
Since Genoa is part of the Alpine-dominated Italian Peninsula Alliance, and Alpine forces also maintain an important naval base within Monaco, the territorial dispute in Seborga is a source of tension within the community of Italian states. It has also led Monaco to seek military support outside the Alpine Confederation and engage with the Atlantic Defense Community. The Alpine naval base near Nice is actually jointly run with the ADC, and Seborgan officials have advocated ADC membership for Monaco. So far, the kingdom has not pursued membership in any defensive alliance.
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