El Titano and São Luís, both UNESCO sites, are at the centre of a project that brought two South American university students to the Republic
El Titano and the Brazilian city of São Luís: what are the similarities and what are the differences in the relationships between university students who stay for a few years and citizens who live permanently in one of the two realities?
The question forms the backdrop to an international research project involving the University of the Republic of San Marino and the Instituto Federal do Maranhão, both engaged in a project that investigates themes such as housing, cultural identities, urban structures and educational systems in the two territories, both characterised by a historic centre included by UNESCO among the World Heritage Sites.
In this context, the University of San Marino is currently hosting two students from the South American academic institution for a series of surveys. The results of these surveys may ultimately lead to useful strategies for facilitating integration between students and citizens in both San Marino, which has approximately 35 residents, and São Luís, home to over a million people.
The Brazilian students' agenda is broad and varied: from February 16th to 20th, they participated in a Design degree workshop, also presenting their research to prospective students during the Open Days last Friday and Saturday. They are currently exploring the region and conducting a series of interviews with institutional representatives, colleagues, faculty, and others. They will resume on March 6th after describing the main findings and results obtained.
“Our work – explain Matheus Icaro Lopes d'Eça Mendes and Joicyellen Silva Machado – investigates the relationships between territory, permanent community, and temporary community. We study the historic center, its characteristics, people's perceptions of this part of the republic, and their daily experiences. Among the main similarities that have emerged so far is the presence of many historic structures that must be preserved, while one of the most obvious differences concerns security, which appears to be very high on Mount Titano.
The project consolidates the collaboration between the University of San Marino and the Instituto Federal do Maranhão, which last October participated in the inauguration ceremony of the 2025-26 academic year of the University of San Marino with its own delegation. The implementing protocol that laid the foundation for the ongoing research was signed on that occasion.