To put that into perspective, that’s even heavier than your carry-on luggage for an economy airline flight (and let’s face it, we’re always a couple of kgs over.). It’s unheard of in Italy! May 25, 2020. Some examples of everyday superstitions include: There are plenty of amazing examples of strange Italian superstitions to be found as well! Interesting Facts About the Italian Language. And that’s not even counting Italians who emigrated to Australia, Africa and elsewhere in Europe. Bet You Didn’t Know. It’s quite commonly suggested that Italians might be the most superstitious country in Europe. Here are fifteen. Perhaps one of the best-known facts about Italy is that the University of Bologna was founded in 1088, and has been in continuous operation ever since, making it the oldest university in the world. The owner Maria Assunta left her “entire estate” to the cat under the care of a trusted nurse (you may not be surprised that Italian laws does not allow animals to inherit directly). So … 10 Interesting Facts About Italy, That You Probably Didn`t Know. Just about any nation on earth has some sort of love affair with football (except perhaps the US and Canada), but such is the fanaticism of Italian football fans that people have taken to calling them “Tifosi”, which literally translates to “carriers of Typhus”. Here’s a fun list of 21 things you probably didn’t know about Rome. Yes, it’s true! This article explains some of them. Leonardo da Vinci was Italian. We have to admit that we thought we knew quite a lot about Italy but when we dug a little further we were surprised to uncover these 17 fun facts about Italy that we didn’t know! At its peak in the 1st century, Rome’s population is thought to have been approximately 1.5 million, but by the time Rome fell in 476 A.D, that figure had fallen to a mere 17,000. 3. 1. You might be familiar with Vesuvius’s reputation as it is responsible for one of the most famous volcanic eruptions in history. They are called Etna and Vesuvius. Think again. There is also much less air in gelato, which makes the flavour more intense. It was proposed as a dessert which would stimulate customers due to its high energetic content (eggs and sugar) and the caffeine of the strong espresso coffee. Almost everyone I know wants to visit the city of Venice in Italy for a number of good reasons. Image credit: concept-cars.org, stuff.co.nz, NAParish via Flickr. Naples is the 3rd largest city in Italy. If you’re single, don’t let a broom touch your feet when someone is cleaning the floor. With a total area of 119 km² (46 square miles), Naples is a huge city. facts about italy you didn’t know Italy is a popular tourist destination and has an incredibly rich history. Anyone convicted of killing a cat – owned or a stray – could face a €10,000 fine and up to 3 years in prison. Content. A variety of other languages are recognised regionally , but not by the state, and many others that are spoken in very small communities are vulnerable or threatened by extinction. Wouldn’t we all if we had an Italian mother preparing our meals for us every day and night? Italian Language – Facts You Didn’t Know. February 21, 2020 Uncategorized. 10 Things You Didn't Know About Italy: Expert Speak | MakeMyTrip Blog MakeMyTrip Home Surprise Me! It’s believed that the trend has actually caused many Italian men to put off marriage and raising a family until they are much older. Let us know some more interesting facts about Italy. What they don’t know are the staggering numbers. 75260. If you’re lucky enough to have eaten in an Italian family home, you’ll be well aware of just how generous Italian people are to guests, particularly when it comes to food! However, the number of Italian descendants living abroad is far greater, after millions emigrated, mostly to The Americas, during the Italian diaspora period between in 1861 and the rise of fascism in the 1920s. Today, about 99% of the ancient Roman population was lost, meaning virtually no Roman today could claim to directly descend from the city’s ancient population. Image credit – Gaspa via Flickr, Biopresto. 2. Rome , one of the most romantic and inspiring cities in the world, is one of those destinations that conquer the heart of the traveler right away. Get ready for an amazing adventure into the heart of a great country. Nevertheless, there exist various facts that most people don’t recognize regarding this language. Tourism is vital to Italy’s economy and provides nearly 63% of Italy’s national income. He didn’t believe it until a breathless restaurant owner came chasing after us, wildly waving the extra €10 note that my father-in-law had left and yelling in Italian that he had forgot his change. 10 Interesting Facts About Italy, That You Probably Didn`t Know. Known for its art, food, and architecture, it’s not difficult to find out about many famous elements of Italy and its culture. For example, did you know that 2 to 3 pounds of your body weight is made up of microorganisms? It is the eighth most populated region in Italy, behind Piedmont and ahead of Tuscany. But pasta – and we’re talking fresh egg pasta here – is just so good. Source: Link. Italy is on the Mediterranean coast, so the Italians, like the Greeks, ate a fruit and vegetable-heavy diet with minimal meat, though they did eat fish on occasion. Although China invented the first firework prototype of dried bamboo stalk somewhere around 200BC, it was actually the Italians who learned how to add colour to them much later in the 1830s. Legend says if you toss a coin in the fountain, you are destined to come back to Rome. So, what is your favorite fact, and which is the first one that you are gonna share with your friends? Read more about:BEAUTIFUL HOTEL IN ITALY: THE INN AT THE ROMAN FORUM. Testimonials: What Our Holiday Guests Have Said About Us, Alice Peterson’s If You Were Here – Competition Terms and Conditions. This translates into a population density of 202 people per square kilometer, although the actual distribution is uneven. Top 10 Curious Facts You Didn’t Know About Italy. So you think you know everything there is to know about Rome? It is estimated that Rome alone is home to around 300,000 cats – the only residents who are permitted to explore the ruins whenever they like. AU – Thank you for downloading our e-brochure! One of the most peculiar Rome interesting facts you will hear is that there is a museum dedicated to pasta in the city. Just goes to show that their love for the sport is quite literally like a disease! Scene of comedy series ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ with the characters Raymond and Marie is somewhat of an example of ‘mammismo’. While mainly known as the capital of Italy, Rome also has the smaller independent city-state of Vatican City within its borders. In fact, if it weren’t for the poor, who couldn’t afford to top their bread with anything else, man would have been deprived of this classic dish for even longer. 1. 13 Interesting and funny facts about Rome you probably didn’t know Knowing more about the destination can help enrich the experience and ensure a memorable trip, right? Maybe that’s why Italians are so slim! Thus, the name ‘tiramisu’ – meaning “pick-me-up” in English – was coined. From the correct pronunciation to insight into some of their most famous architecture, here are ten facts that you probably didn’t know! It was sold for $330,000 and it was a World record. Then again there are, apparently, only several Lamborghini Huracán police vehicles in use in Italy. Until about 1830, pizzas were only sold by street vendors and special pizza bakeries. 5 x Italy Facts for Kids. The tiny Girko community speak a form of Greek that is believed to derive from the colonies of Magna Graecia. Receive our occasional newsletters, full of top tips & inspiration. Image credit – CBS, And they should have read the warning signs…. Thank you for downloading our e-brochure! Below is a mix of fun facts and debunked food myths that you probably didn't know about Italian cuisine. 2. The Italian wolf is Italy’s unofficial national animal; Italians are highly educated. If you haven’t tried it yet, learn how to make it in our online Italian cooking classes! Thank you for having the patience to read our today’s 25 things you didn’t know about Italy article, and we hope you enjoyed it! It isn’t too surprising then the average Italian puts away 25kg of the stuff per year. Italy has been nicknamed Bel Paese meaning beautiful country. There’s no shortage of interesting facts about the nation. 2. If you have some more opinions about our article, leave them in the comment section below! 6 Amazing Things You Didn’t Know About Italy Home to some of the world’s most beautiful historical buildings, one of the greatest cuisines, and a wide range of cities that suit every traveller’s taste, Italy is one of the greatest European travel destinations for a long list of very good reasons. Even the Catholic church believes that “mammismo”, the classic attachment between Italian men and their mothers, is one of the biggest risks to marriage in the country today. Read on to know why ordering pepperoni pizza or Alfredo pasta must not be done in authentic Italian restaurants. Advertisement. So now you’ll understand why we are so obsessed with Italy! You’ll receive good fortune if you hear a cat sneeze. For instance, it is estimated that roughly €3,000 in change is tossed into Rome’s Trevi Fountain daily! These include the Amalfi Coast, the Historic Centre of Florence and the Famous Lagoons in Venice. Enjoy! Closed on Sunday, Dropping olive oil into a bowl of water to check for Malocchio (The Evil Eye), Wearing the Corno amulet (The Devil’s Horn) to ward off curses on mens’ manliness (and The Evil Eye), Always placing a loaf of bread face up, lest you affront Jesus Christ. Your email address will not be published. In 2007, a dog discovered in Tuscany a truffle that weighed 3.3 pounds. Over the shoulder, of course, so as to avoid getting bad luck. ... 10 Things You Didn't Know About Germany The Northern region, which is very developed and industrialized, and the Southern region known as Mezzogiorno -land of the midday sun- which is less developed in terms of agriculture. People lived in the Colosseum in the Middle Ages Following the fall of the Roman Empire, the Colosseum was used as a castle, cemetery and even as a housing complex in the Middle Ages. This is now known as the “ Mediterranean diet ,” and has been reported to lengthen lives and can combat the development of Alzheimer’s disease. In Winter you can ski in the fabulous Alps and in the Summer you can visit the numerous attractions that made Italy an undisputed cultural mecca. Italian is among the most renowned languages. Facts About The Coloseum’s Death Toll. These are the 25 things you didn’t know about Italy! If you are interested in history, culture, art and food, then Italy is the place to go. Thank you for downloading our Guide to Bologna, Thank you for downloading our Guide to Sicily, Thank you for downloading our singles holidays guide brochure. Puglia (pronounced poo-li-ya) is also known by the name of Apulia, and has a population of around 4-million. Christmas Hours - Closed from Saturday 19th of December 2020 until Monday 4th of January 2021, Normal Hours 1. Over 50 million tourists a year visit Italy. Italian food, lifestyle and culture blog – by the Flavours Holidays team. It is the third most populous country in the EU, with an estimated population of 60,674,003 as of 2015. To give you an idea, it is estimated up to 25 million Argentines and 31 million Brazilians have some degree of Italian descent – around 62.5% and 11% of the total populations respectively – while up to 17 million US citizens claim Italian ancestry. Here are the 25 things you didn’t know about Italy! Cycling is forbidden in Venice A relatively unknown fact about Venice, Skateboards, Roller Skates or Bikes are not allowed. Packed with foodie tips, a recipe for tortellini, our favourite attractions and all you need to know about balsamic vinegar. Thursday 10am-6pm 1. Before this, the land we now know as Italy was made up of city-states and lands owned by the Roman Catholic Church. Saturdays 10am-6pm 10 amazing things you probably didn't know about Venice Save ... Italy’s exposed upper flanks – running ahead of attacks by Germanic tribes, and seeking sanctuary on disparate islands. It is alleged that, at the age of 10, the notorious fascist dictator was expelled from a religious boarding school in Italy for stabbing another pupil in the hand with a pencil. It’s a fascinating country rich in stunning scenery, culture and history! 5 fun facts you probably didn’t know about Italian food Published by Marcello Cuccorese at 21 November, 2018 Italian cuisine has evolved throughout many centuries of social and economic change, and has roots that extend to antiquity. Monday to Wednesday 9.30am–5.30pm One of the most interesting facts about Italy is that 2 of the world’s most active volcanoes are located in this country! BEAUTIFUL HOTEL IN ITALY: THE INN AT THE ROMAN FORUM, 15 Amazing Festivals to Experience Around the World, How Instagram Influencers are Driving Tourism, 15 Reasons Why Nothing Gets Done in Your Country, 15 Countries That Are Going Bankrupt Because of COVID, 15 Things You Can Learn from Luxury Brands, 15 Rules of Negotiation (Skills & Tactics). Hi there, I made this informative video for you guys on a couple of things that you need to know about Italy before coming here. In terms of population, Italy is 5th and 23rd most populated country in Europe and World respectively. More Italy Facts. Image credit – britannica.com, historyinanhour.com. Some of these facts might even leave you squirming in your seat or looking at food in an entirely different way. Your email address will not be published. Italy’s cultural legacy might be the most important one in Europe so without further ado we bring you the ten things you didn’t know about Italy. There’s probably a bit more to it than exquisite home-cooking – perhaps the effect of the global recession, for instance – but more than half of Italy’s male population between the ages of 24 and 35 still live with their parents, according to a study carried out by Istat. Truffle; via www.thedrinksbusiness.com. 50 Facts about Italy. Of the top 10 oldest universities in the world, 4 of them are based in Italy – the others being the universities of Padua, Naples and Siena – more than any other countries in the ranking! And we think you’ll be surprised too! But his tyrannous reign might well have been prevented if those responsible for choosing a new leader had just listened to Mussolini’s old school teacher. Interestingly, gelato is also the only Italian product whose market share of artisanal versus industrial is greater than 55%. 6 The Spanish Steps aren’t Spanish Cascading from Trinità dei Monti church to Piazza di Spagna below, these Baroque 18th-century steps were designed by an Italian architect at the request of a French diplomat. Amazingly, pockets of Greek culture and language have remained in Sicily to this day. There are catacombs that dates back from the 3rd century. January 18, 2014. With 61 million inhabitants, Italy is the fifth most populated country in Europe. This museum can teach you everything that you will want to know about pasta. We hope you found these Italy facts as surprising and fun as we did. 5 Fun Facts About Venice Things You Didn’t Know About The “Queen of Adriatic” Content. 14. There is a rather nasty blemish on Italy’s political history, in the form of Benito Mussolini. Required fields are marked *, The Interesting History Of Pasta In Italy », Interview with Flavours’ Italian Teacher – Carlo Lenoci », Returning to our Favourite Restaurant – Il Veliero in Syracuse, Sicily ». Then the first pizzeria opened up in Naples and the pizza quickly became a national favourite and for the rest of the world. The generally accepted date for Rome's founding is 753 B.C., making the city more than 2,500 years older than the nation of which it is capital. Despite several attempts, Italy did not become a unified nation until late in the 19th century, with Rome annexed in 1870 following a relatively brief siege. Who, in their right mind, doesn’t like pasta? Italy’s most famous dessert (at least abroad) – the delectable Tiramisú – was born in 1971 in La Beccherie Restaurant in the Venetian town of Treviso. The saying goes “you want to be swept off your feet and get married” so if abroom touches your feet, it means you’ll never be swept off your feet! 1) Fancy fireworks. We’ve assembled 50 mind-blowing facts that we bet you had no idea were true. Romans are said to adore their feline friends so much that they are considered “a bio-cultural heritage”. These 7 historical facts about Italy’s Eternal City will blow your well-travelled mind. This means Italy is … Gelateria’s make it daily with fresh, all-natural ingredients and it contains 70% less fat (and consequently far fewer calories) than factory-made ice cream. Thank you for requesting your Christmas recipe book, Thank you for requesting your Mediterranean Diet cookbook, The new world of Travel – Safety Advice and FAQs. 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