Coat of arms of the Principality of Sabourg Sabourg Principality

Sub umbra sedi

The Principalityof Sabourg.

Tradition, culture and a European vision. Sabourg represents a historic community of the western Mediterranean, devoted to the stewardship of its cultural heritage, the promotion of international dialogue, and the development of initiatives turned toward the future.

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A history across the centuries

Sabourg’s historical roots belong to the cultural heritage of western Liguria. Across the centuries the territory developed a strong identity, preserving traditions, architecture and values that still characterise its public and cultural life today.

1261
Year of foundation
765 years of continuity
91st
Reigning sovereign
elected 2019
≈110 km²
Historic territory
Seborga · Sospel · Ventimiglia
II
Priories of the state
Seborga & Saint-Michel

Discover Sabourg

The Principality in four chapters.

  • The Palazzo dei Monaci in Seborga, bearing the painted princely arms

    Monarchy & continuity

    Elected in 2019, the 91st sovereign reigns in continuity with the abbey that governed these lands for centuries. An elective monarchy: continuity rests on tradition, legitimacy on election.

  • A view of Seborga rising on its Ligurian ridge above the terraces

    History & heritage

    From 1261 to the present day: the abbatial age, the 1729 cession to Savoy, the modern revival and the present — four ages of a history the Principality tells in its own voice.

  • Panorama of Seborga and the Ligurian coast

    Institutions & public life

    Sabourg's institutions operate in keeping with the principles of transparency, public service and civic participation, for the benefit of the community and its culture.

  • e-Residence & the digital future

    The chancery extends into the digital age: friends of Sabourg around the world may register with the State, hold the e-Residence card and take their place in the e-Register.

The Monarchy

His Most Reverend Highness, the Prince-Abbot

The church of San Martino in Seborga, seat of the Principality’s patronal devotion
The church of San Martino, Seborga

The historical and religious continuity of the Principality is borne today by Monsignor Giovanni Luca Pietro II, elected the ninety-first sovereign on 29 September 2019 and crowned by an Orthodox prelate on 28 December of that year.

Beneath him the abbatial state preserves its monastic vocation: the Prince-Abbot is, by ancient custom, a religious man. The motto of the realm — Sub umbra sedi, “I sat in the shade” — draws from Psalm 91: those sheltered by the Most High rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

The Office of the Prince-Abbot

Seven Centuries

From the Castrum to legitimation

Four ages of a state that has refused to disappear.

before 1261

Castrum Sepulchri

On the heights above the Ligurian coast stood the Castrum Sepulchri — the fortified seat from which the story of Seborga begins, before the monks assumed its governance.
1261 – 1729

The Abbatial Principality

From 1261 the monks governed Seborga, Sospel, and Ventimiglia as an abbatial state — by the Principality’s account, the first monastic state in human history.
1730 – 1946

The Savoy Protectorate

In 1729 the principality was transferred to the House of Savoy with papal approval, conditioned upon the settlement of debts owed to creditors — notably the Republic of Genoa. The Principality holds that, the condition unmet, the sale was never valid.
The lands passed under a Savoy protectorate until 1946.
1946 – today

Legitimation

Administered since by the Italian Republic, the Principality maintains its claim to sovereignty and pursues, by its own declaration, recognition among states.
The full history & the false myths

Affairs of State

Three declarations to the world

The Principality sets out its own aims before the international community. Each is the entity’s own request — a declaration of intent, not a recognition granted.

Recognition by the United Nations

The Prince-Abbot has subscribed to the Charter of the United Nations of 26 June 1945 and has addressed to its Secretary-General a request that the Principality be admitted as a member state.

Special autonomy from Italy

On 4 November 2020 a formal request was sent to the President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic, invoking Article 5 of the Constitution, toward a bilateral agreement and special autonomy.

A union of micro-states

The Principality invites the micro-states of the international community to establish an Organisation of the United Micro-States — a proposed body for cooperation among the world’s smallest states.

Digital Sovereignty

Carry the shade with you.

The Principality extends its chancery into the digital age. Through e-Residence, friends of Sabourg the world over may register with the state, hold an e-Residence card, and take their place in the e-Register of the realm.

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International relations

Diplomatic notes & proclamations

Sabourg maintains cultural and institutional relations with organisations, communities and international partners devoted to the protection of historical heritage and cooperation between peoples.

Prince-Abbot’s Feast Day — message on the sixth anniversary of the coronation
The Prince-Abbot received by the Prime Minister of Guinea-Conakry Conakry
Guest of honour at the presidential investiture, Republic of Mozambique Maputo
Official note on the Prince-Abbot’s meeting at the Vatican

All notices are the Principality’s own declarations, reproduced from its official record.