Welcome to the official website of the Principality of Sabourg
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 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 Pietro II, elected 91st sovereign on September 29, 2019, and crowned by a high Orthodox prelate on December 28, 2019.
The Principality of Sabourg in 2024, a recognised sovereignty in the world
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.
Nationality and residence:
→ How does one obtain the nationality of Seborga? Read more
→ How is digital residency obtained? Read more
Institutions of the Principality
Goals of the Principality of Sabourg
→ UN Recognition
His Most Reverend Highness, Mgr. Giovanni Luca Pietro II 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 Pietro II 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 Pietro II 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
13th of december 2025
Prince-Abbot Feast Day 2025
Official message from His Most Reverend Highness the Prince-Abbot
Brothers and sisters, members of the clergy, Excellencies, high dignitaries of the Abbey State, officers of the Abbey Gendarmerie, members of the OESMC and all of you, dear subjects of Sabourg, we thank you for making the National Day an extraordinary event, worthy of a contemporary Sovereign.
The sixth anniversary of our coronation marks a more intense commitment for all members of the Council of Departments, our Minister Councillors. Taking the oath in San Martino Square, in the presence of the Patron Saint of Seborga, as our Secretary of State has donated a relic that preserves part of his holy body, makes your commitment and that of the highest dignitaries of the Principality of Sabourg sacred.
The year 2026 will define the affirmation of the monastic state for the general public, as the states of the international community, fascinated by your work, will accept the long-awaited official recognition.
Entrust your souls to the Holy Spirit, so that the eternal light may strengthen your spirits for this divine mission of charity in the service of the Most High.
Dedicate a few minutes of your day to reciting Psalm 91, which is our motto: Sub Unbra Sedi.
Fraternal blessings ☦️☦️☦️
Giovanni Luca Pietro II
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
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’.
Other sites in the Principality
Religious Life
→ Monastic Order
-> Equestrian Order St. Martin
→ O.E.S.M.C.
→ Institut oecuménique
→ Patriarcato d’Italia
Tourism, Culture and History
→ Sabourg.com
→ Castrum Sepulchri
Economy & Social
→ A.S.E.P.A.S.
→ Gendarmerie de l’Abbaye
→ Automobile Club Sabourg
→ Yacht Club Sabourg
→ Aero Club Sabourg
Events
Pontifical Mass of the Year 2026
Ventimiglia – 1st January 2026 2:45 p.m.
Orthodox Chapel of the Priory of Saint Michael
Vico dietro gli Staggi 1
Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil
New Year’s Concert
Ventimiglia – 1st January 2026 5:00 p.m.
Multipurpose hall ‘former church of San Francesco’
via Garibaldi 33
