San Marino, sandwiched by Italy's Apennine Mountains, has the distinction of being the oldest republic in the world. It dates back to the 13th century!

If you were to visit San Marino, (first of all, you would need to get to San Marino; it has no train station or airport, so your only choice is bus or taxi), you will likely become the only Jew in San Marino! That's probably an exaggeration, but there are very few Jews among its 33,000 people. (33,000! That's a country! In Europe!)

That being said, the history of Jews in San Marino dates back to the 14th century. They were allowed to live there (which can't be said about other European countries), but were subject to various restrictions.

So based on all of the above, it wasn't exactly easy to find a notable Jew from San Marino. Well, Angelo Donati wasn't from San Marino per se, but he did serve as the country's general council for seven years. Born into a prominent Italian family, he spent World War II in Vichy France, helping to save Jews from the Nazis.

Some of those Jews ended up in San Marino, which served as a harbor during the war for both Jews and anti-fascist Italians.

Most have left since, be it by bus or taxi...