San Marino’s crossbowmen shoot in a former quarry. The Crossbowmen’s Quarry (*Cava dei Balestrieri*) was dug in the 1800s for stone to restore the Public Palace. Today it is a crossbow range, with three shooting pedestals facing a target on the far side.
Beside it, a statue of peace holds a dove, inscribed “crossbowmen for peace”: sport, not war. The Crossbow Corps first appears in San Marino’s statutes in 1295, when its job was defending the city walls. It has no military function now, but it still holds its Palio each 3 September.
VoiceMap’s tours point out the rock’s list of cities where San Marino’s crossbowmen have won tournaments. They explain how the Corps went from guarding the walls to competing for peace. Some also point you to a small park of 1970s bronzes next door.