Fun Facts Italy

Ten Fun Facts about Italy

It’s no surprise that the land of la dolce vita is consistently one of the most visited countries in the world. Keen to learn Italy’s secrets? From its record number of UNESCO World Heritage sites to the origins of its most famous dishes, we’ve rounded up our favourite fun facts about Italy so you can become an expert on all things Italia...

1. Italy is one of Western Europe’s youngest countries

Despite its ancient history (Rome alone is over 2,700 years old), the modern Italian Republic was only founded in 1861. The peninsula’s different states were consolidated into a single state under King Victor Emmanuel II during the Unification of Italy, also known as the Risorgimento.

2. Each year, tourists throw over one million euros in Rome’s Trevi Fountain

Tradition states that tossing a coin into the iconic fountain, by holding it in your right hand and throwing it over your left shoulder, will ensure your return to Rome, the ‘Eternal City’. Toss in two coins, and your love life’s sorted. Three, and marriage will be on the cards. But whether you believe the legends or not, you’ll be chucking coins for a good cause – each year, they’re gathered up and donated to the Catholic anti-poverty charity, Caritas.

Image by Chris Czermak/Unsplash

3. Italy is the world’s largest producer of wine

Since 2007, Italy has taken the top spot for wine production in all but three years (when France stole the title). Vineyards are dotted all over Italy, including in Tuscany, Apulia and Emilia-Romagna. Veneto is the nation’s largest wine-producing region, however, famous for its sparkling Prosecco, white Soave and red Valpolicella. Drink up…

4. The world’s smallest country, Vatican City, is located within Italy

This sovereign city-state is an enclave in the Italian capital, Rome, with just a two-mile-long border. As headquarters for the Catholic Church, it’s only natural that Vatican City is home to the world’s largest church – St. Peter’s Basilica. Only around 800 people call Vatican City home, but that doesn’t stop it from having its own army, money and postal system. It’s also the only nation in the world that can lock its own gates at night. Quite the feat.

Image by Jerome Galland

5. Football is Italy’s most popular sport

And for good reason: Italy has won the FIFA World Cup four times (1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006), equalling Germany’s wins and sitting closely behind Brazil’s five titles. The Italian national team are known as ‘Gli Azzurri’ (the blues) thanks to their blue kits, which pay tribute to the House of Savoy – the royal family behind Italy’s unification.

6. Italy is the only country in mainland Europe with active volcanoes

The big hitters include Mount Etna in Sicily, Mount Vesuvius, near Naples, and Stromboli, a small volcano island known as the ‘lighthouse of the Mediterranean’. Perhaps the most famous eruption in history was Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, which destroyed the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. These days, however, Mount Etna is the most active, erupting multiple times a year. It’s also Italy’s tallest volcano, towering at a variable height (due to its eruptions) of around 11,000ft.

7. Italy has more UNESCO World Heritage sites than any other country in the world

The historic nation boasts a whopping 60 sites (no biggie). These include the historic centres of Rome and Florence, Venice and its lagoon, and the city of Verona. In short, culture connoisseurs are spoilt for choice when it comes to visiting Italy…

Image by Faustine Poidevin

8. Naples is the birthplace of the modern pizza

Any list of Italy fun facts has to mention its most famous export. While flatbreads have ancient origins, the modern iteration of the pizza first originated in Naples during the late 18th to 19th centuries. Quick, cheap and delicious, the modern pizza was a hit among working-class Neapolitans. Its exact origins are a mystery, but many attribute the invention of the Margherita pizza to Raffaele Esposito, who is believed to have first topped a pizza with mozzarella, tomato and basil to honour Queen Margherita of Savoy.

9. Italy has the oldest population in the European Union

Thanks to declining birth rates and high life expectancies, over 24% of Italians are aged over 65, and the average median age of Italians is approximately 48. These trends have placed an economic strain on Italy’s working population, leading to economic imbalances.

10. The Leaning Tower of Pisa’s iconic tilt is caused by poorly laid foundations

The 191-foot-tall Medieval tower began to lean soon after its construction in 1173 (which took a painstaking 200 years). Extensive restoration efforts between 1993 and 2001 have successfully reduced the tower’s lean and ensured its stability for at least another 200 years. Phew.