The information in this article is taken from The Rough Guide to Italy — your essential guide to visiting Italy. Not only did you vote this one of the most beautiful countries in the world, but a trio of Italian cities — Florence, Rome and Venice — featured in our survey of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Statue of Victor Emmanuel II at Piazza Venezia in Rome © reuerendo/Shutterstock
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 divided into separate states until 1861. Italy’s national day is called Festa della Repubblica and it’s celebrated each year on 2 June.
Planning a break in the Eternal City? Discover the best area to stay in Rome.
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.
4. Italy’s last king ruled for just 36 days
Italy was a dictatorship until 1945, although it also had a royal family until 1946.
After WWII the country voted to become a republic and King Umberto II only ruled from 9 May to 12 June 1946.
He ended his days exiled in Portugal. In a nod to his unusually short reign, he’s known in Italy as, “the May King”.
Fun facts about Italy? King Umberto II reigned for just 36 days © unknown author/public domain/wikimedia commons
5. Italy’s flag is green, white and red
Italy’s flag represents hope, faith and charity. Green is hope, white denotes faith and red is the colour of charity. Inspired by the French flag, it’s often called Il Tricolore.
Tricolore Day in Italy is 7 January. And it’s celebrated on Reggio Emilia, at the very spot where the flag was first adopted in 1797.
The moneymaking Trevi fountain in Rome © Taras Vyshnya/Shutterstock
7. 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. And 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 — read our guide to where to stay in Venice.
Traditional wooden Pinocchio toy souvenir © luckyraccoon/Shutterstock
9. 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.
Want to visit Italy’s World Heritage sites, but prefer to leave planning and booking to experts? Have a look at some sample itineraries. Both Complete Italy or Italy Itineraries offer inspiration. All Tailor Made Trips can be modified together with your local expert, then booked for a stress-free holiday.
Last Judgment fresco in Sistine Chapel, Vatican City © byggarn.se/Shutterstock
Fun facts about Italy and geography
11. Italy is home to Europe’s only three active volcanoes
There’s a reason Italy gets a few mentions in our round-up of the world’s top 20 volcanoes.
Mount Etna on Sicily last erupted in 2021, its 50th recorded eruption. However, plumes of steam regularly flow out of the volcano and are best seen from Catania. Despite its liveliness, you can also trek to Etna’s summit.
Mount Stromboli is another active Italian volcano. It’s on a small island near Sicily. If you plan to visit, check current activity and go with experienced guides.
Vesuvius in Naples has been dormant since 1944. But a visit to nearby Pompeii lets you see the effects of its devastating 76AD eruption.
Planning to visit this vibrant southern city? Discover unusual things to do in Naples. When in the area, book a small group tour of Pompeii with archaeologists.
Piazza San Pietro in the Vatican City © Banauke/Shutterstock
13. 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.
Though growing in popularity, Puglia is another stunning, less crowded option, and it also happens to be one of our best places to visit with kids and features in our round-up of the best beach holidays in Italy.
Varenna old town on the shores of Lake Como © Boris Stroujko/Shutterstock
15. 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 metres above sea level and is Italy’s highest peak as well as the highest mountain in the Alps.
Into adventures? Read up on sports and outdoor activities in Italy. You could also test your head for heights and book a Mont Blanc and Courmayeur day tour.
Older man gazes across evening sea in Messina, Sicily © Marco Crupi/Shutterstock
17. Santorio Santorio designed the world’s first thermometer
Italian Santorio Santorio invented the thermometer in 1612. It was the first instrument to show an exact temperature against a scale.
Galileo had previously worked on a thermoscope. But his invention only showed changes in temperature and didn’t measure the degrees of change.
18. Batteries were invented in Italy
The first batteries were invented in Italy in 1800 by Alessandro Volta – the man after whom ‘volts’ are named.
19. Christopher Columbus was Italian
Columbus might have sailed under the Spanish flag, but he was actually Italian, and born in Genoa in 1451.
Genoa is Europe’s largest medieval town. Find out more on full day tour of Genoa and Portofino with local guides.
Leaning tower reflecting in sunglasses, Pisa © Alliance Images/Shutterstock
Fun facts about Italy and eating
20. Pizza was invented in Naples
Pizza gets a mention as early as 10AD. But modern pizza was born in the 1700s and it originated in Naples.
When in Naples, why not learn how to create authentic pizza at a pizza-making workshop? That said, Rome isn’t short of great options, either. Discover where to eat the best pizza in Rome.
Espresso machine © Firma V/Shutterstock
23. Italy is the world’s largest wine producer
Italy produces about 54,800 hectolitres of wine a year compared to 49,000 hectolitres produced by France. Italy’s also the world’s largest wine exporter with most exports going to Germany, US and the UK.
Visit Tuscany and take a tour of Chianti vineyards with local experts, and discover 15 unforgettable things to do in Tuscany.
Langhe vineyards in Piedmont © Giorgio1978/Shutterstock
24. It’s bad luck to place bread upside down on the table
Italians think it’s bad luck to place bread upside down on the table. Historian’s suggest this ancient superstition arose because bread given to town executioners in the Middle Ages was always placed upside down.
25. Italians eat salad for dessert
In Italy salad is always eaten after the main course as the fibre supposedly aids digestion. However, it’s not a dessert. Italian meals have another two courses. So after salad, you can still look forward to fruit, and then dessert.
Ready to travel to Italy? Find out when to go and where to go in Italy, and discover the best things to do in Italy. For further inspiration, see our Italy travel guides, or contact our local travel agents in Italy.
Looking for practical guidance? Read up on getting there, getting around, and where to stay in Italy. And don’t forget to buy travel insurance before you go.
We may earn commission when you click on links in this article, but this does not influence our editorial standards – we only recommend services that we genuinely believe will enhance your travel experiences.
