Designed by the lieutenant general of the Genio Navale Edoardo Masdea they basically turned out to be a replica of the "Pisa". The most substantial variations concerned the most refined hull shapes to allow a greater speed and obtain better nautical qualities, improvements to the hull structures so as to obtain a greater degree of protective resistance and a greater buoyancy reserve, more modern weapons systems like the electric control of the large caliber instead of the hydraulic one.
The San Marco had a turbine engine of higher power than the alternative one of the San Giorgio: 23.000 hp against 18.200. With powerful armament centered on four 254/45 mm guns in two towers, eight 190/45, 18 76/40 and two 450 mm torpedo launchers, vertical protection max 280 mm and horizontal 45 mm, they developed a speed of 24 knots .
The two units remained one of the most classic examples of perfection achieved in the development of the armored cruiser.
Source: Military Navy
