Seborga

Seborga is a small town, and self-proclaimed principality, located in Liguria, Italy, near the French border. The main economic activities are horticulture and tourism.

1 The principality
2 Economy, folklore and tourism
3 See also
4 External links

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The principality

In the early 1960s the head of the local flower-growers co-operative, Giorgio Carbone, began promoting the idea that Seborga retained its historic independence as a principality. By 1963 the people of Seborga were convinced of these arguments and elected Carbone as their Head of State. Henceforth he was to be known as Giorgio I, Prince of Seborga. In 1995 Seborgans voted, 304 in favor, 4 against for the Principality's Constitution and its general rules.

These facts do not imply that Seborga is indeed a principality. Some consider these claims as a form of folklore and the Republic of Italy considers Seborga as part of its own territory.

The argument for Seborga's independent status is that Seborga was an independent Principality until January 20, 1729, when it was sold to Victor Amadeus II, Prince of Piedmont and King of Sardinia. However, it appears the sale was never registered by the Kingdom of Sardinia, letting Seborga fall in a kind of twilight zone. Subsequently, in 1815, the Congress of Vienna overlooked the village in its efforts to redistribute European territories after the Napoleonic Wars and there is no mention of Seborga in the Act of Unification of Kingdom of Italy in 1861. Whatever the validity of these claims, it is worth noting that the establishment of statehood doesn't rely only on formal acts.

Moreover, there is no tension between the "Principality" of Seborga and the Italian government. Law enforcement, public health, telecommunications, school services and all other public services are provided as in the rest of Italy. Seborgans regularly pay taxes, participate in the Italian administrative life, and vote in local and national (Italian) elections. For instance, in the elections of the Senate in 2001 the voter turnout was 84.21%.

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Economy, folklore and tourism

Thanks to the publicity as a principality, tourism expanded. The principality's historic town centre was also restored, ensuring that its charms were protected from commercial overdevelopment.

A local currency, the luigino, has been issued in 1994 up to 1996. The Luigino is accepted inside the city, along the legal currency, Euro, known also from International Bank, but without legal value. Some claim that the Italian government did not welcome this initiative. It is not clear what is the total amount of Luigini issued.

Stamps are also issued. The stamps have only a philatelic value, since the only post office is the Italian one.

Nowadays, the Tourist Office issues a Tourist Passport.

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