Italy draws in visitors from across the globe with its renowned art and cuisine along with a rich cultural legacy spanning over two millennia. With that said, Italian cuisine is arguably what attracts foreigners to this country the most. From pizza to pasta, most people are familiar with Italian food. These dishes are not only tasty but also highlight the cultural heritage, regional diversity and the artistry ingrained in Italian cooking. However, there are so many more dishes in Italy to discover and so much more information about the country to learn than just that about its food. Learn more here with these 10 fun facts about Italy.
1. Italians Eat Over Half a Pound of Bread Daily
Bread remains a dietary staple across Italy, with the average Italian consuming over half a pound of bread each day. Focaccia, ciabatta and pane di segale rosso offer just a taste of regional bread diversity. Some of the most commonly known facts about Italy have to do with Italian cuisine, so this fact probably comes as no surprise for many.
2. Italy’s National Dish is Ragù alla Bolognese
Of all the famous Italian dishes, Ragù alla Bolognese is Italy’s national dish. This slow-cooked meat-based sauce is a testament to centuries-old traditions passed down through generations. Contrary to popular belief, authentic Ragù alla Bolognese is not a sauce for spaghetti but is traditionally paired with tagliatelle, a ribbon-like pasta, to allow the rich, savory flavors to envelop and cling to every strand.
3. Italy Boasts the Most UNESCO Heritage Sites Worldwide
Italy has the most UNESCO World Heritage sites in the world with 55 designated cultural and natural recognized sites. These sites encapsulate millennia of human history, art and architecture from the historic centers of Florence and Rome to the breathtaking beauty of the Amalfi Coast and the archaeological wonders of Pompeii and Herculaneum. This shows just how much of Europe’s culture and natural wonders call Italy home.
4. Italy’s Volcanoes Are Europe’s Only Active Ones
The fiery Mount Etna and Stromboli volcanoes situated in southern Italy, as well as Vesuvius near Naples are the only active volcanoes on the European mainland. Eruptions over millennia created the stunning Aeolian Islands. The eruptions of Vesuvius, infamous for its cataclysmic destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum in 79 AD, serve as a haunting reminder of nature’s unpredictable might. Yet, these volcanic regions also nurture fertile soils, contributing to Italy’s agricultural richness and producing some of the world’s most exquisite wines and culinary delights.
5. Vatican City is Considered the World’s Smallest Country
The world’s smallest internationally recognized independent state, Vatican City occupies just 0.2 square miles within Rome. It serves as the ecclesiastical jurisdiction for the Catholic Church. Basically, this tiny city-state is a country within a city within a country. This is definitely one of the more confusing facts of these fun facts about Italy, but fascinating nonetheless.
6. Thousands of Coins are Tossed Daily into Rome’s Trevi Fountain
An Italian legend suggests that tossing a coin over one’s shoulder into the Trevi Fountain ensures one will someday return to Rome. The popularity of this legend has led to the famous fountain raking in a lot of money with around €3000 thrown in daily. All of the money collected goes toward the Catholic charity La Caritas.
7. Italians Eat the Most Pasta in the World
The next of these fun facts about Italy will please pasta lovers who feel like they can not get enough of it. Italy’s deep-rooted love affair with pasta is evident in the fact that Italians consume more pasta per capita than any other nation, with a substantial number indulging in pasta at least once daily. Pasta is celebrated as a versatile, comforting and affordable dish, forming the cornerstone of countless Italian recipes passed down through generations.
8. Pizza Was Invented in Naples, Italy
Pizza traces its origins to the city of Naples in southern Italy. What began as a humble dish among the working class in the 18th century has evolved into an international sensation adored by millions worldwide. It is a tasty dish that can be made so simply or with a unique recipe. For example, the UNESCO-recognized Neapolitan pizza is held in high esteem for its strict adherence to tradition with a soft, chewy crust charred to perfection in a wood-fired oven. There is also the Margherita pizza with its vibrant tricolor of tomatoes, mozzarella and basil, which pays homage to Italy’s national flag.
9. Italy Places Among the Top 5 Most Visited Countries
Italy takes the 5th spot globally in international tourist arrivals. Before the COVID-19 pandemic halted traveling, over 60 million travelers vacationed there in 2019. Italy owes these impressively high numbers to its magnificent historical sites, its culture and its world famous cuisine.
10. Italy Produces the Most Wine in the World
The last of these fun facts about Italy still has to do with the country’s renowned cuisine. Italy tops the charts in wine production by volume in the world with its millennia-old winemaking tradition. Italian vineyards churned out over 19 billion liters in 2019 alone. The quality of Italy’s wines is never compromised from Chianti to Prosecco.