Principality of Sabourg since 1261 is the first monastic state in human history, still sovereign and recognised by other states.
Click on the title and learn more about Sabourg’s diplomatic missions
Since its origins, the Principality of Sabourg has been an abbatial state composed of religious monks. The monks ruled Seborga, Sospel, and Ventimiglia from 1261 to 1729, when the principality was sold to the Savoy dynasty with the approval of the pope, who imposed as a condition for the transfer of the title the payment of debts owed to creditors, particularly those owed to the Republic of Genoa. This condition was not met, rendering the deed of sale ineffective. The territories of the Principality of Sabourg legitimately became a protectorate of the Crown of Savoy until 1946, and are still exercised today by the Italian Republic.
The Principality of Sabourg is divided into two priories:
- the Priory of Seborga
- the Priory of Saint Michel (formerly the Priory of the Chaplaincy of Saint Michel in Ventimiglia).
The capital is Seborga.
The territory of the Priory of Sabourg includes the current territory of the Municipality of Seborga, part of the Municipality of Ospedaletti, Perinaldo and Sanremo, as well as the island of Bergeggi in the Province of Savona.
The economic capital is La Grange.
The Priory of Saint Michael consisted of La Grange, i.e., the territories that include part of the current territory of Ventimiglia, Airole, Olivetta San Michele, and Sospel (France). The area of the former territory was approximately 110 square kilometers.
The historical and religious continuity of the Principality of Sabourg is ensured today by His Most Reverend Highness Monsignor Giovanni Luca, Prince Abbot and Archbishop of Sabourg, elected 91st sovereign on September 29, 2019, and crowned by a high Orthodox prelate on December 28, 2019.
Official motto
“Sub umbra sedi”
The literary translation is ‘I sat in the shade’.
Psalm 91:1 of the Holy Scriptures states verbatim: ‘He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High rests in the shadow of the Almighty’.
In other words, those who are sheltered by the Lord are protected from the evil one. Further proof of the totally religious vocation of the principality.
Click on the title and learn more about Sabourg’s diplomatic missions
Since its origins, the Principality of Sabourg has been an abbatial state composed of religious monks. The monks ruled Seborga, Sospel, and Ventimiglia from 1261 to 1729, when the principality was sold to the Savoy dynasty with the approval of the pope, who imposed as a condition for the transfer of the title the payment of debts owed to creditors, particularly those owed to the Republic of Genoa. This condition was not met, rendering the deed of sale ineffective. The territories of the Principality of Sabourg legitimately became a protectorate of the Crown of Savoy until 1946, and are still exercised today by the Italian Republic.
The Principality of Sabourg is divided into two priories:
- the Priory of Seborga
- the Priory of Saint Michel (formerly the Priory of the Chaplaincy of Saint Michel in Ventimiglia).
The capital is Seborga.
The territory of the Priory of Sabourg includes the current territory of the Municipality of Seborga, part of the Municipality of Ospedaletti, Perinaldo and Sanremo, as well as the island of Bergeggi in the Province of Savona.
The economic capital is La Grange.
The Priory of Saint Michael consisted of La Grange, i.e., the territories that include part of the current territory of Ventimiglia, Airole, Olivetta San Michele, and Sospel (France). The area of the former territory was approximately 110 square kilometers.
The historical and religious continuity of the Principality of Sabourg is ensured today by His Most Reverend Highness Monsignor Giovanni Luca, Prince Abbot and Archbishop of Sabourg, elected 91st sovereign on September 29, 2019, and crowned by a high Orthodox prelate on December 28, 2019.
Official motto
“Sub umbra sedi”
The literary translation is ‘I sat in the shade’.
Psalm 91:1 of the Holy Scriptures states verbatim: ‘He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High rests in the shadow of the Almighty’.
In other words, those who are sheltered by the Lord are protected from the evil one. Further proof of the totally religious vocation of the principality.
Institutions of the Principality
Monarchy and Democracy
Goals of the Principality of Sabourg
→ UN Recognition
His Most Reverend Highness, Mgr. Giovanni Luca, Prince-Abate Archbishop of Sabourg publicly subscribes to the Charter of the United Nations drawn up on 26 June 1945 in San Francisco (US) and confirms full compliance with its articles in order to request the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, to accept the Principauté du Sabourg as a new member country.
→ Special Autonomy from the Republic of Italy
On 4 November 2020, His Most Reverend Highness, Monsignor Giovanni Luca, Prince-Abate Archbishop of Sabourg sent an official request to the President of the Council of Ministers, Head of the Government of the Republic of Italy, for the recognition of the Principality of Seborga, today a sovereign enclave without territorial possession, in order to define a bilateral agreement between States, aimed at obtaining special Autonomy of the lands that coincide with the Municipality of Seborga and part of the Municipality of Ventimiglia, as provided for by Article 5 of the Italian Constitution.
→ Read more
→ Establishment of the United Microstate Organisation
His Most Reverend Highness, Mgr. Giovanni Luca, Prince-Abate Archbishop of Sabourg invites the heads of government of the micro-states of the International Community to set up a new subject of international cooperation called the “Organisation of the United Micro-States” in order to encourage cooperation between states by unifying the voice of the micro-states for the development of a new common socio-economic order.
Official press releases 2025
6 June 2025
CHINA TECHNOLOGY AND SPIRITUALITY
20 May 2025
À LÉON XIV : « Le Saint-Esprit inspires the first appeal to people »
3 May 2025
CONSENT OF THE CENTRAL AFRICAN STATES IN SABOURG
22 April 2025
PAPA FRANCIS HAS LEFT AN INDELIBLE SIGN OF PEACE, JUSTICE AND MISERICORDY
Conakry 22 January 2025
THE PRINCE ABBOT OF SABOURG OFFICIALLY RECEIVED BY THE PRIME MINISTER OF GUINEA CONAKRY
Maputo 15 January 2025
THE PRINCE ABBOT OF SABOURG GUEST OF HONOUR AT THE OFFICIAL INVESTITURE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOZAMBIQUE
13 December 2024
Prince-Abate of Sabourg received head of state in Africa
6 November 2024
Message of congratulations to the new President-elect Donald Trump
29th September 2024
Celebration of the fifth anniversary of the Monastic Order
22 July 2024
Feast of the co-patroness of Sabourg, Saint Mary of Magdala
24 June 2024
Official press release on the meeting in the Vatican of His Most Reverend Highness Prince-Abbot Giovanni Luca.
5th May 2024
Official presentation of the Digital Foundation and issue of 144,000 digital units.
10 January 2021
La Repubblica Genova: ‘Seborga tries again, letter to Conte asking for recognition of autonomous monastic state’.
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Tourism, Culture and History
Economy & Social
Events
Feast of the Dormition of the Venerable Virgin Mary Theotokos
3 p.m. Holy Mass of St. James Chrysostom in the gardens of the Church
6 p.m. Spiritual concert by the Abbey Gendarmerie Orchestra
Bouquet (Occitania-France) August 15, 2025
