11 Fun Facts About Italy You Should Know

It's no surprise that Italy is at the top of so many travelers' wish lists, given that it boasts some of the most stunning art, architecture, cuisine, and scenery in the entire world. It simply has a beautiful culture. You might travel around this amazing nation for years and still have plenty to see, from historic cities and soaring mountains to great wines and authentic pizza.

Here are some fun facts about Italy:

Italy Has the Most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the World

The fact that Italy is full of historical treasures is one of the most interesting fun facts about the country. 45 of Italy's 58 UNESCO sites have been recognized as part of the World Cultural Heritage.

Given the presence of treasures like the Colosseum in Rome, the city of Pompeii, and the magnificent Amalfi Coast, it is understandable why the country draws millions of tourists yearly.

Italy Is the 5th Most Visited Country in the World

Italy ranked fifth on the world's most visited countries list in 2018, with over 62 million visitors from other countries. Italy is renowned for its extensive history, stunning scenery, and delicious food. It should come as no surprise that it is among the top tourist destinations worldwide.

Three of Europe’s Active Volcanoes Are in Italy

Europe's active volcanoes, including Etna, Vesuvius, and Stromboli, are located in Italy, a hotspot for volcanic activity. Sicily is the site of Mount Etna. The last eruption was in 2018. Even though Mount Stromboli is situated on a separate island off the coast of Sicily, it is currently active.

Meanwhile, Naples is home to the infamous Mount Vesuvius, which last erupted in 1944 and caused extensive damage. The volcano was also in charge of one of the world's worst eruptions, which occurred in 79 B.C. The damage caused by the volcano is still visible in the historic city of Pompeii.

Tourists Throw €3,000 Into the Trevi Fountain Every Day

Many visitors come to the stunning Fontana di Trevi to throw coins for good luck, totaling a jaw-dropping €3,000 daily. The fountain received an estimated €1.4 million (US$1.5 million) in 2016. The money was raised and donated to charity, helping to fund a food bank in Rome for those in need.

The tradition of tossing coins into the fountain dates back to a local legend claiming you'll return to Rome if you throw a coin from your right hand over your left shoulder. A second tradition claims that if you toss two more coins, you'll find a new relationship and have a beautiful Roman wedding. This legend was inspired by the 1950s movie "Three Coins in the Fountain."

Italy Is the World’s Largest Wine Producer

Wine enthusiasts might want to travel to Italy because of this interesting fact. In 2018, the nation produced an astonishing 54,800 hectolitres of wine, slightly exceeding France's 49,000 hectolitres production. The greatest exporter of wine worldwide is Italy. In 2018, they shipped wine worth a stunning $7.3 billion, most of which went to the US, the UK, and Germany.

Italians Invented Pizza

The word Pizza has been used as far back as the 10th century AD, but it wasn't until the late 18th century in Naples that it took on its present form, with a tomato basis.

According to popular belief, Raffaele Esposito, a pizza maker, created the "Pizza Margherita" in June 1889 as a tribute to Margherita of Savoy, the Italian monarch, and the unification of Italy because the toppings, red tomato, white mozzarella, and green basil, correspond to the colors of the national flag.

In the Campania region of Naples, the first modern pizza with a tomato foundation was made in 1860. It has since evolved into one of the world's favorite delicious foods. Even if pizza has seen many changes throughout the years, Naples continues to produce the world's best pizza.

Rome Is Over 2,000 Years Old

In the year 753 BC, Rome was founded. Beginning in 27 BC and lasting until 395 AD, the Roman Empire, so named for the city in which it was founded, dominated much of Europe and parts of North Africa. Because of this, Italy has many historic cities and locations where you can still see remains of Roman architecture. You can take pictures with people who are costumed as traditional centurions, especially in Rome.

Italy’s Last King Ruled for 36 Days

In the wake of the Second World War, voters of Italy chose in 1946 to get rid of the idea of a reigning monarchy in favor of a republic. Until that time, the country had a royal dynasty. From 9 May to 12 June 1946, King Umberto II was in power.

Italy Was Under a Dictatorship for 20 Years

Italy was dominated by the fascist leader Benito Mussolini from 1925 until 1945. He was the country's prime minister for three years, starting in 1922, before taking over. Mussolini, often known as "Il Duce" (the leader), was initially a radical socialist who later sided with Adolf Hitler in the run-up to World War II. He was executed by partisan troops in 1945.

The Vatican City in Rome Is the Smallest Country in the World

The Vatican City is about 100 acres, or about 1/8 the size of Central Park in New York. The Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, the Raphael frescoes, and other important historical sites are all present in Vacitan City. When the Pope speaks and greets the faithful on a particular occasion, you can watch from a small window in St. Peter's Square.

13 of Shakespeare’s Plays Are Set In Italy

The story of Romeo and Juliet is set in Verona. While Julius Caesar is set in Rome, you can go to Juliet's balcony and see Romeo's house. Much Ado About Nothing is located in the Sicilian city of Messina, whereas Othello and The Merchant of Venice are set in Venice.