Principality of Sabourg since 1261 has been the first monastic state in the history of mankind, governed by religious elected by other religious..

From its origins, the Principality of Sabourg has been an abbey state made up of monks. The monks ruled the Sabourg territories from 1261 to 1729, the year in which the principality was sold to the Savoys with the approval of the Pope, who imposed a condition for the transfer of title by paying off past debts to creditors, in particular those incurred with the Republic of Genoa. An expectation that was not fulfilled, thus rendering the deed of sale ineffective. The territories of the Principality of Sabourg legitimately became a protectorate of the Savoys until 1946, still unilaterally exercised by the Italian Republic.

The Principality of Sabourg is divided into two Priories: the Priory of Sabourg and the Priory of the Chaplaincy of San Michele in Ventimiglia.

The capital is Seborga.

The territory of the Priory of Sabourg includes the current territory of the municipality of Seborga, part of that of the municipalities of Ospedaletti, Perinaldo and Sanremo, as well as the island of Bergeggi (Savona).

The economic capital is La Grange.

The Priory of the Chaplaincy of San Michele was composed of the territories of La Grange, i.e. the territories comprising part of the current territory of Ventimiglia, Airole, Olivetta San Michele and Sospello (France). The surface area of the ancient territory was approximately 110 square kilometres.

The historical and religious continuity of the Principality of Sabourg is ensured to the present day by His Most Reverend Highness John Luke, Prince Abbot and Archbishop of Sabourg, who was elected 91st sovereign on 29 September 2019 and crowned by a high Orthodox prelate on 28 December 2019.

Motto ufficiale 

“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.

→ For further clarification, consult the History section

Official Communiqué
of the meeting in the Vatican of His Most Reverend Highness Giovanni Luca Prince Abbot on 27 June 2024

Prince-Abbot Archbishop of Sabourg Giovanni Luca travelled to Rome on Monday 24 June to accept the invitation of the President of the Brotherhood of St Michael Archangel and the Holy Spirit of the Borgo corridors.
At 6 p.m., Giovanni Luca participated, in his capacity as Prince-Abate Archbishop of Sabourg and Substitute Metropolitan Vicar General of the Orthodox Church in Italy, in the Solemn Mass for World Peace under the Protection of Our Lady of Debtors, at the Church of Santa Maria Annunziata in Borgo, on Vatican territory.
Together with the Prince of Sabourg, the members of the delegation that accompanied him on the visit were also seated in the seats reserved for the Authorities, next to the celebrant. This was composed of the Prime Minister of the Principality of Sabourg, His Excellency the Most Rev. Marc Vincent Vattier Exarch of the Gallican Church of France, Prof. Luigi Battistini Grand Commander of the Equestrian Order of St. Martin the Charitable, and the Director General of the Abatial Gendarmerie Land Division, Gen.
Giovanni Luca del Sabourg was very positive about the event held at the Vatican,
stating: ‘This is an important event for the Principality. It confirms the legitimacy of the Sabourg and of my ecclesiastical role, too often the subject of criticism from ill-informed people who are not inclined to accept the presence of our institution in its historical seat of Seborga.”
Furthermore, Prince Giovanni Luca expressed his special thanks to Dr. Gilberto Di Benedetto, for his work as custodian of the icon of Our Lady of the Debtors.

Seborga 2 July 2024