<strong>Seborga: </strong>The town covers about five square miles of land and has 300 residents. There are plans to build a luxury hotel overlooking the coastline below.
Seborga: The town covers about five square miles of land and has 300 residents. There are plans to build a luxury hotel overlooking the coastline below.
Courtesy Principato di Seborga
<strong>Ruled by royals: </strong>Seborga has elected royalty. Princess Nina of Seborga was born in Germany as Nina Daniela Döbler.
Ruled by royals: Seborga has elected royalty. Princess Nina of Seborga was born in Germany as Nina Daniela Döbler.
Courtesy Principato di Seborga
<strong>Historic heart: </strong>The church of Saint Martin, in the heart of the town, was built around 1615 by the Genoese architect Arturo Fieschi.
Historic heart: The church of Saint Martin, in the heart of the town, was built around 1615 by the Genoese architect Arturo Fieschi.
Courtesy Principato di Seborga
<strong>Serious business: </strong>"Initially I thought the whole story was quite funny and I didn't take it seriously," Princess Nina says about Seborga's claim to independence, "but then I read into it and it's all true."
Serious business: "Initially I thought the whole story was quite funny and I didn't take it seriously," Princess Nina says about Seborga's claim to independence, "but then I read into it and it's all true."
Courtesy Principato di Seborga
<strong>On the frontier: </strong>A sign welcomes visitors to town. Seborga is about 12 miles by car from the French border, and about 190 miles from Milan.
On the frontier: A sign welcomes visitors to town. Seborga is about 12 miles by car from the French border, and about 190 miles from Milan.
Courtesy Principato di Seborga
<strong>A town divided: </strong>According to micronations expert Graziano Graziani, the community is split: "Some believe in the claim to independence, while others think it's pure invention, without any hope of ever being recognized," he says.
A town divided: According to micronations expert Graziano Graziani, the community is split: "Some believe in the claim to independence, while others think it's pure invention, without any hope of ever being recognized," he says.
Courtesy Principato di Seborga
<strong>Flying colors: </strong>The flag of Seborga includes the coat of arms and the principality's colors, white and azure.
Flying colors: The flag of Seborga includes the coat of arms and the principality's colors, white and azure.
Courtesy Principato di Seborga
<strong>Money matters: </strong>Seborga mints its own currency, the Luigino, which is pegged to the US dollar: one Luigino is worth $6.
Money matters: Seborga mints its own currency, the Luigino, which is pegged to the US dollar: one Luigino is worth $6.
Courtesy Principato di Seborga
<strong>Tourist town: </strong>Seborga's independence claim brings in tourists. Most residents are employed in local farming; the main crops are Ligurian staples, flowers and olives.
Tourist town: Seborga's independence claim brings in tourists. Most residents are employed in local farming; the main crops are Ligurian staples, flowers and olives.
Courtesy Principato di Seborga