Italy is a country on the Mediterranean Sea. It has been an independent nation-state since 1861, and capital of Western Civilization.
What is Italy Known For? Italy is a country that is known for its vast, diverse landscapes, food & wine, culture, and rich history. From the iconic landmarks to the rustic countryside, there’s so much more than meets the eye on this Mediterranean island!
What are some of the best places in Italy? What does Italian food taste like? What can you do there that you couldn’t do anywhere else in the world? In this article we will explore what Italy is famous for. Read on to learn more about one of Europe’s most beautiful countries!
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy, and one of Europe’s most impressive cities. With attractions including the famous Roman Colosseum, the Vatican, and the Pantheon, Rome is an epicenter for importance in Western Civilization.
Rome is also one of the best-known cities in the world and has been an important site for the Roman Catholic Church, as well as a major tourist destination. The city contains many ancient ruins and is full of historical significance.
Pizza
Pizza is one of Italy’s most famous dishes. It typically consists of a round base of leavened dough topped with tomatoes, cheese, and any number of toppings. The dish is closely linked to the Neapolitan tradition in Southern Italy.
Pizza can be baked in an oven or stone-baked in a wood-fired oven, often in the use of a hand-made brick as a hearth. In 2012, UNESCO’s declared that Naples was the world capital for pizza as the first country where it was introduced as a fast food dish.
Italian Language
Italy is full of history, cultures, and great cuisine! There are many things you need to know about this beautiful country before travelling there or before going out with a girl from there.
One of them is the Italian language which is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe. Italian dialects make up the second most spoken mother tongue in European Union at about 59 million speakers, and 8% of EU residents speak it as a foreign language.
The Roman Empire
Italy is known for its rich history which includes an extensive list of achievements. Among the most important things that has made Italy stand out are Julius Caesar’s empire, the renaissance period, and fashion.
One of Italy’s greatest contributions to civilization was Rome, also known as Ancient Rome. Founded in 753 BC with the name of “Aeneas” in the area where the Eternal City currently stands, Rome was an empire which lasted for roughly 600 years. It thrived on many different levels, one of them being its military might
The Alps
Italy is home to some of Europe’s most beautiful mountains. The Alps are a large mountain range that stretches through eight different countries, and Italy is home to the highest peak: Mont Blanc.
Many famous trails and ski resorts can be found in the Italian Alps such as Cortina d’Ampezzo which was made popular by the film, “The Pink Panther”.
Art & Architecture
Italy is home to some of the world’s most beautiful art, architecture, and sculpture! The country had a huge influence on art during the Renaissance period.
During this time, Italian artists like Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci rose to prominence with their work on paintings, sculptures, and buildings. These artists’ work was not only impressive but also stood the test of time, making it popular even today!
Venice
Italy is home to some beautiful and unique cities such as Venice which is built on a group of 118 small islands in a lagoon along the Adriatic Sea.
Venice is a common tourist destination for people from all over the world, and its attractions include Piazza San Marco, the Grand Canal, and the Bridge of Sighs.
Aperitivo
Aperitivo is a typically Italian event that usually happens around 6-7pm. It’s an event where locals typically go out to drink before dinner, and it includes unlimited free food!
Aperitivo is usually accompanied by a small buffet of tasty snacks set out on the bar for customers to enjoy while drinking their cocktails.
Music
Italy is home to some of the world’s best musicians! The country is well known for its love of music which differs greatly from most other European countries. For example, the Italian opera became the first operatic tradition in Italy. It was also important in setting the standard language, written musical notation, and musical style which became prevalent across Europe.
The country has also had many famous composers who have made a name for themselves with their work. Some of these people include Verdi who wrote Aida, one of his most popular operas; Puccini who wrote La Boheme; and Rossini who was considered one of the most prolific opera composers before him.
Fashion
Italy is well known for being the birth place of high fashion. European-style clothing was first worn in Italy, and it became popularized during the Italian Renaissance period after Catherine de’ Medici brought Italian fashion with her to France when she married King Henry II. The country continues to be a major influence in the world today!
World Cup Winner (4 Times)
Italy has had a great football team since the early 1930’s! The country has won 4 times in the world cup which is held every four years, with their last win being in 2006 when they beat France 5-3 on penalties.
The Italian national team has won the World Cup more than any other country except for Brazil, who have 5 wins total.
Vatican City
The Vatican city is a Holy See located within Rome which was established in 1929. It’s completely surrounded by the same city of Rome but functions as an independent country with its own government, buildings, post office, newspaper etc.
The pope serves as the head of the state and is usually selected from among an exclusive group of Cardinals after a secretive process that takes place during Consistory meetings.
Pisa
Pisa is a well known city in Tuscany, Italy which is cored by the Piazza del Duomo. The city attracts many tourists from around the world, and it’s most famous attraction is the striking Leaning Tower of Pisa.
People love to take photographs in front of this unique structure that leans more than 4 degrees off the vertical.
Vespa
The Vespa which means ‘wasp’ in Italian was first produced by Piaggio & Co. Ltd, and it quickly became a commonly used scooter after WWII due to it’s maneuverability and high speed. It was originally designed for military purposes but the company decided to commercialize it.
Roman Colosseum
The Roman Colosseum is an elliptical amphitheater located in Rome, Italy which was used during ancient times for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions and dramas based on Classical mythology.
It is currently used for concerts, plays and other cultural activities which are held there every year.
Pasta
The origins of pasta are astonishingly unknown, but it has been a part of the Italian culture since around the 12th century when Sicily suffered from a severe drought in which wheat was scarce and in order to survive, the people had to come up with an alternative. The answer was in the pasta itself and it quickly became the staple food.
Milan
Milan is the second largest city in Italy and it’s also one of the most important fashion capitals on Earth!
It’s known for being a hub for some of the world’s oldest and biggest fashion houses like: Armani, Versace and Prada. The city has been recognized as a global fashion capital of the world.
Gelato
Gelato is an Italian ice cream which is believed to have been invented during the 16th century in Florence, Italy.
It is made from a base of milk and eggs similar to custard which contain less fat than American ice cream. In many countries outside of Italy, gelato is served differently. For example, in France it’s served much harder!
Hand Gestures
Italians are known for their hand gestures, their habits and the way they talk using hand movements is that of a dance. The simple gesture can say a thousand words and Italians (especially if stressed) will resort to making these quick and meaningful movements with their hands which basically speak louder than any words.
A good example of this is the way Italian waiters talk to each other at restaurants and how they drive their cars! They gesture a lot when indicating or talking to on-coming drivers on the road.
Risotto
Risotto is an Italian rice dish that’s usually made with white wine, onion and Parmesan cheese.
This dish can be prepared in less than thirty minutes and it has a creamy yet crunchy consistency thanks to the saffron which gives it color. Some popular variations of this meal are made with seafood or vegetables which is then served as a main dish.
Wine
The Italian peninsula is home to some of the world’s most famous wine producers like: Barolo, Brunello di Montalcino and Chianti.
Wine was actually used for medicinal purposes back in the days when it was produced during ancient Rome, but nowadays it has become one of the country’s most popular exports. Some of the best wine in Italy is produced in the southern region which includes Campania, Apulia and Sicily to name a few.
Leonardo Da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci is an Italian Renaissance painter and scientist who is considered to be one of the greatest artists in history. Among his many achievements, he developed theories which led to the creation of the submarine, helicopter and a military tank. He was also known for his enigmatic and eccentric personality.
Christoper Colombus
Christopher Columbus was a Venician explorer who was hired by Spain to find a faster route from Europe to Asia by going west. He managed to discover the Caribbean Islands which he thought were a part of India and his findings resulted in the arrival of Europeans on American soil.
Pompeii
Pompeii is an ancient Roman city that got covered in ash after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
This site contains well-preserved buildings and sculptures which give tourists a glimpse into how life was like during the days of Ancient Rome. The site also depicts how people died after being caught by the eruption with many of them still locked in embrace with their loved ones.
Cheese
Italy is known for its mozzarella, grana padano and gorgonzola cheese. It’s made from cow, sheep or goat milk which gives it a slightly tangy taste. These cheeses are great additions to pastas and pizzas! Over the years, Italy has become world renown for its cheeses!
*Wrap It Up
Italy is a country rich with culture and traditions dating back to ancient times. From the food, their hand gestures and even how they drive cars on the road – Italians are known for many things!
If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about Italy or what makes it so unique, then this blog post has everything you need to know in order to get started. We hope that these 25 interesting facts about Italy will help foster your curiosity and inspire new adventures abroad as well as educate those who have yet been there of all its hidden secrets.
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