There are plenty of fun facts about Italy. It’s one of Europe’s most visited countries. The history’s long. The culture’s rich. And the food’s delectable. But what do you actually know? Here are our interesting facts about Italy. Time to test your knowledge.
1. Italy is one of Europe’s youngest countries
Italy has one of Europe’s longest histories, yet it’s only been a country since 1861. In Roman times Italy was a single entity. It then divided into a collection of sovereign states and remained that way until 1861.
This long history of individuality is the reason why the country today has such a wide range of cultural variations.
Statue of Victor Emmanuel II at Piazza Venezia in Rome.
2. Rome is over 2,000 years old
Rome was founded in 753 BC and the Roman Empire was born in 27 BC. The Empire ruled Europe and parts of North Africa right up until 395 AD. After the fall of the Empire, Italy was divided into separate states until the unification in 1861. To celebrate it there is Italy’s national day, called Festa della Repubblica, that is held each year on June 2nd.
3. The country was under a dictatorship for 20 years
Benito Mussolini established a dictatorship in Italy in 1925 and ruled the country until 1945.
Known as “Il Duce” at the height of his powers, Mussolini wasn’t always a fascist. In fact, he began his political life as a radical socialist and served as Italian PM until 1922.
During WWII, he aligned Italy with Germany and, in 1945, was executed by partisan troops.
1930s Italian stamp depicting dictators Hitler and Mussolini
4. Tourists throw €1,000,000 into the Trevi Fountain each year
Toss a coin into the Trevi and you’ll return to Rome. That’s the legend.
Tourists toss around €3,000 a day into the fountain. This amounts to roughly €1,000,000 every year, which is all donated to charity.
While visiting the Trevi fountain is one of the best things to do in Rome, if you want to break the tourist mold, take an underground tour of it for a different perspective.
The money making Trevi fountain in Rome
5. 13 of Shakespeare’s 38 plays are set in Italy
“Romeo and Juliet” is set in Verona and you can even visit Juliet’s balcony in the city.
“Julius Caesar” takes place in Rome. Both “Othello” and “The Merchant of Venice” are set in Venice, while “Much Ado About Nothing” is based in Messina.
Although Shakespeare is surprisingly accurate about Italy, there’s no proof he ever visited the country. Don’t be like the Bard and miss out!
Verona at sunset
6. Pinocchio was first published in an Italian newspaper
Carlo Collodi wrote the legendary story of “Pinocchio” in 1880 and it was originally serialized in the children’s newspaper, Giornale per i Bambini.
Traditional wooden Pinocchio toy souvenir
7. Italy has more World Heritage sites than any other country
Italy has 55 world heritage sites, more than anywhere else on Earth. They cover the entire country, and range from Mount Etna to the Colosseum.
Start planning your trip in Italy now to be able to visit all of the World Heritage sites!
View of Trulli houses in Alberobello
8. The Sistine Chapel welcomes over 20,000 visitors every day
Michelangelo completed the Sistine ceiling in 1512 and today the Sistine Chapel is one of the world’s most visited monuments.
It’s also the official residence of the Pope, as well as the site of the Papal Conclave, the process for selecting new Popes.
Last Judgment fresco in Sistine Chapel, Vatican City
9. Italy is the fifth most visited country in the world
Almost 65 million people visit Italy each year. Given that most head to Rome, Florence and Pisa it’s still possible to find uncrowded places. Try Castelmezzano in Basilicata or head to Camogli in Liguria.
Growing in popularity, Puglia is another stunning, less crowded option, and it also happens to be one of the best places to visit with kids and has some of the best beaches in Italy.
Duomo Santa Maria Del Fiore in Florence
10. Italy’s highest mountain is Mont Blanc
Italy shares Mont Blanc with France, although it’s called Monte Bianco in Italian. It rises 4,808 meters above sea level and is Italy’s highest peak as well as the highest mountain in the Alps.
Italy shares Mont Blanc, or Monte Bianco, with France
11. Fourteen billion espressos are consumed in Italy each year
Over 20,000 Italians work as baristas and the country’s average household coffee consumption is 37 kg a year.
You can drink Espresso any time in Italy, but it’s an unspoken rule that you don’t order Cappuccino after 11am.
Espresso machine
