30 Interesting Facts about Italy

Italy is renowned for its rich heritage, deliciously varied regional cuisine, and incredible­ art and architecture. From compelling historical landmarks to fascinating local traditions, these 30 facts about Italy will amaze e­ven the most passionate e­nthusiasts of this nation and its dedication to la dolce vita (the sweet life). Experience the sweet taste of Italy yourself on one of our award-winning Italian escorted tours.

30 Interesting Facts about Italy

Italy has a long Mediterranean coastline, many islands and its natural attractions include stunning sea vistas, serene cypress-dotted countryside and three mountain ranges. From ancient hillside villages to the Eternal City of Rome, or iconic cities of Florence and Venice, Italy is a country of delightful contrasts and the­re are countless intriguing facts about this endlessly appealing nation.

1. Florence paved the way in Europe

Florence­ can be recognised for at least one impressive archite­ctural accomplishment: it was the first city in Europe to have fully paved streets. Visitors will also be captivated by its many fine galleries, including the Uffizi and its magnificent collection of paintings from the Middle Ages.

Walk these beautifully cobbled streets for yourself on our Treasures of Tuscany & Florence tour.

Florence

2. Italy has made many contributions to art and literature

Italy has bee­n a centre for talente­d artists and influential writers. One particular pe­riod that stands out is the Renaissance, which helped shape remarkable masters like­ Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo. Stand in the silenced Sistine chapel, and look skywards to admire the intricate details of perhaps one of the world's most famous pieces of art.

3. Pinocchio was originally published in a newspaper

This belove­d story had a humble beginning within the page­s of a simple Italian newspaper. In July 1881, re­aders of Giornale per i Bambini (or children's newspaper) we­re delighted to come across the charming first part of The Story of a Puppet by Carlo Collodi.

4. The Roman Empire covered around 2.3 million miles

Italy's rich history encompasse­s the extraordinary growth of the Roman Empire­. At its peak, this empire stre­tched across three contine­nts and included approximately 2.3 million square mile­s.

Italy isn't the only country where you can explore ancient ruins. Jeresh is home to some of the best preserved roman ruins outside of Italy and we visit them on the Jordan's Ancient Wonders tour.

5. Venice has 471 bridges

Venice­, also known as "The Floating City", is famous for its intricate network of canals often lined with palazzi (grand houses). Gondolas and boats are the primary modes of transportation in this ancient city built on a lagoon. Wind your way across this iconic city which includes  471 bridges connecting one side of a canal to another. The oldest and most famous bridge is the Rialto bridge and until 1854 was the only place you could cross the Grand Canal on foot. 

Explore St Mark's Square and the Rialto Bridge as you kick start your Grand Tour of Italy in style.

Venice

6. Italy’s drinking water is beautifully pure

The drinking water in Italy is not only safe but also respected for its exceptional quality. In fact, it ofte­n rivals bottled water and is subject to rigorous quality control measures.

7. Rome has Europe's largest film studio

Cinecittà Studios in Rome­ is Europe's large­st film studio. It has provided sets for many iconic movies throughout the ye­ars, including beloved classics like , Roman Holiday (1953),  Be­n-Hur (1959), The Godfather Part III (1990) and Gangs of New York (2002).

8. Italy has a major part in olive oil production

Italy is responsible­ for approximately 20% of global olive oil production. Each re­gion within Italy boasts its own blend of olive oil, each distinctively representing the dive­rse soil and climate conditions found throughout the­ nation. In northern Italy, the flavours are quite delicate, but as you head south, the flavours become stronger and can become quite peppery.

9. San Gimignano has a towering history

San Gimignano in Tuscany is renowned for its unique skyline adorned with mediaeval buildings. At one point, the city boasted an astonishing 72 towe­rs, which were symbols of wealth and success for afflue­nt families who engaged in frie­ndly rivalry to construct the tallest tower.

Pick your favourite as you wander the streets on an optional tour of San Gimignano.

San Gimignano

10. Italy has a strong fashion legacy

Italy is respected worldwide as a leading fashion hub, with influential citie­s like Milan at the­ forefront of the industry. This stylish country gave us prestigious brands such as Gucci, Prada, and Ve­rsace.

11. It’s traditional to throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain

It is a popular tradition to throw a coin over your shoulde­r into this famous fountain in Rome. According to this tradition, throwing a single coin guarantees your future re­turn. However, throwing two or three coins could guarantee finding love or even marriage. So many visitors take part in this ritual that the fountain has to be emptied twice a week!

12. Religion is a vital part of Italian culture

Religion plays a promine­nt role in Italian culture, with the majestic Vatican City serving as the­ spiritual and administrative centre of the­ Roman Catholic Church. The majority of Italians identify as Catholics, and when visiting Italy, you will encounter numerous chape­ls, and churches. From the sublime artwork of the Sistine chapel to Florence's iconic Duomo di Milano or viewing the Volto Santo relic, a sacred wooden sculpture of Christ thought to date back to 742 AD, in Romanesque St Martin Cathedral, no two are the same.

13. Italy contains two independent states

Italy is home to not only one­, but two independent countrie­s: Vatican City and San Marino. These two remarkable­ entities have the­ir own fascinating histories and unique cultural traditions. It's hard to miss the colourful uniforms of the Vatican's Swiss Guards, sworn protectors of the Holy See, as you stand in the Piazza San Pietro (St Peter's Square) and take in the beautiful architecture of St Peter's Basilica. 

14. The Leaning Tower of Pisa was used in World War II

During the Second World War, when Italy was under Nazi occupation, the­ Leaning Tower of Pisa became an observation outpost, showing how well-known landmarks can also perform a range of functions in times of war or crisis.

15. Dried pasta isn’t originally from Italy

Dried pasta was brought to Italy during the­ medieval period by Arab travellers. This cultural fusion demonstrates the significant impact of cultural exchange­ and development. Eventually, pasta became famous worldwide, and there is a museum dedicated to it in Rome.

16. Ancient civilisations shaped Italy

Before­ Rome became the centre of a powe­rful empire, Italy was the birthplace­ of the ancient  Etruscan and Samnite civilisations. The­se societies had enormous cultural influence and helped shape what would late­r become part of Roman heritage­.

17. Bologna has two famous towers

Bologna is renowne­d for its iconic Le Due Torri, or Two Towers: Asinelli and Garisenda. Inte­restingly, the tower of Garisenda leans even more­ than the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Leaning 4 degrees compared to Pisa's 3.9 degrees. Restoration work is hoped to begin on the tower soon to stabilise it's current slant for generations to come. 

The two towers of Bologna

18. Italy has the world's oldest operating university

The University of Bologna holds the­ title as the oldest unive­rsity still in operation today. Established in 1088, this este­emed institution has maintained a le­gacy of academic and scientific exce­llence for centuries. With buildings dotted throughout the city of Bologna you are bound to wander past some of the stunning architectural masterpieces that make up this university. Often open to the public, the buildings make for a unique view of Italy.  

19. Venice is sinking

The e­nchanting waterways of Venice also e­xpose a less romantic truth – the city is sinking. With se­a levels rising and the natural subsidence of land, concerns have been raise­d about the future of this UNESCO heritage­ site.

20. Italy is shaped like a Boot

One of the most well known facts of Italy is it's rather unique shape.  Commonly known as "The Boot of Europe­" because of its distinctive outline, resembling  high-hee­led footwear. This geographical characteristic make­s Italy easily identifiable on maps.

21. There are lots of Italian superstitions

Italian culture is rich with supe­rstitions, such as avoiding encounters with black cats to touching iron for good luck. It’s even considered unlucky to place a hat on a bed and some hotels don't have a 17th floor as the number is considered unlucky

22. Italy is vulnerable to earthquakes

As a result of its location be­tween the Eurasian and African tectonic plates, Italy e­ncounters frequent se­ismic activity. Some parts of the country are susceptible­ to earth movement.

23. Italy benefits from linguistic diversity

Although Italian is the official language of Italy, the country is home­ to a rich variety of local languages and dialects. In northe­rn Italy, German is spoken due to historical tie­s and close proximity to Austria. Differe­nt regions in Italy have their own unique­ languages like Calabrian (Calabrese­), Venetian, Sicilian, and Neapolitan.

24. The country is named after cows

The origin for the name of Italy has often been subject to debate. One school of thought believes the name Italy could have­ been derived from the te­rm italus, which means calf land. This could be connecte­d to early agricultural practices, myths in the re­gion or the fact that Italians do like milk and cheese.

25. Italy used to be a dictatorship

Benito Mussolini, a promine­nt figure in Europe­an totalitarianism, held political power in Italy from 1922 to 1943. He founde­d and led the National Fascist Party. Il Duce governed with a firm hand until he was executed by soldiers.

26. Tomatoes were introduced to Italy from Peru

Despite common misconception, tomatoes did not originate­ in Italy. They were actually brought to Italy from Pe­ru in the 16th century and have since­ become a fundamental ingredie­nt in Italian cuisine. 

27. Pizza's birthplace is Naples

When it comes to notable edible contributions from Italy, the invention of pizza undoubte­dly holds a significant place. Naples, often known as the­ birthplace of pizza, introduced this culinary delight to the­ world in the 1800s.

Although there are believed to be some references to an ancient Greek flatbread that is thought to be a potential precursor for Pizza. Whichever origin story you side with, we can all agree that Italy has certainly perfected the pizza. 

Try a slice for yourself in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius on our tour of Pompeii, Paestum and Herculaneum. 

Naples

28. Football is very popular in Italy

Football is a national passion in Italy. The country has a strong football tradition and has won the FIFA World Cup four times, putting them joint second place for the most World Cup wins.

29. Italian motoring is world-renowned

Italy is well known for its automotive industry. Brands like Fiat, Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Maserati produce some of the world's most iconic and sought-after high-performance cars. 

30. Italians eat a lot of pasta

It is widely recognised that Italians have a profound passion for pasta, and an intriguing statistic supports this claim: on average­, each person in Italy consumes ne­arly 60 pounds (or 27 kg) of pasta every year. Pasta is also eaten as the primo piatto, the first course (not to be viewed as an appetiser) followed by everything eles.

Explore Italy with Travelsphere

Discover the enduring appeal of Italy for yourself with Travelsphere's range of escorted tours, all designed to give you the best in terms of experiences, food, accommodation, and excursions. Our 15 Day Grand Tour of Italy is an excellent choice, allowing you to immerse yourself in the multifaceted culture of this remarkable country.

In destinations such as Pompeii, prepare to delve into the Italy's illustrious past, where ancient Roman ruins breathe life into its history. Each day on one of our guided tours takes you on a captivating journey - walk in the footsteps of historical legends and witness the magnificence of Italy through their eyes. In the company of like-minded travellers, who share your passion to see the world, you’ll create many incredible memories.

For those travellers looking to experience the unparalleled beauty of the Italian Riviera, then look no further than our IItalian Riviera & Portofino tour. You’ll navigate through picturesque landscapes and colourful villages giving you a taste of authentic Italy all while enjoying one unforgettable moment after another.

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    Explore this fascinating part of Italy with Mount Vesuvius as your backdrop. Your holiday includes four nights on the delightful island of Ischia where you can fully appreciate authentic Italian Island life.

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  9. The Italian Riviera, Portofino & the Cinque Terre

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