When traveling around Europe, one of the top destinations is Italy. They’re well-known for several reasons, but what are some weird facts about Italy that you might not know?
Some things they’re famous for are their breathtaking views, incredible architecture and landmarks, and of course, their mouthwatering cuisine. From pizza to pasta, art to fashion, Italy is truly the spot for every interest. If you’re planning on visiting sometime soon and want to get the full experience, then check out some of these weird facts about Italy that you didn’t know.
7. The Currency Before Euros
When traveling to Italy, you’ll need to convert your money over to the euro, but before then, Italy had its own currency. One of the many weird facts about Italy is that they used to use the lira.
The lira was introduced by the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy in 1807 and then was adopted in 1861 and used until 2002. It was subdivided into 100 centesimi, which means “hundredths” or “cents”. The lira was also used as the currency of the Albanian Kingdom from 1941 to 1943.
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6. Home to Many UNESCO Sites
One of the many weird facts about Italy is that the country is home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites in the world. Those who research, or have traveled to Italy, know that there are astounding historical landmarks and treasures throughout Italy.
As of 2019, Italy became home to 55 UNESCO World Heritage sites. They have gems like the Colosseum in Rome, the city of Pompeii, the Pantheon in Rome, and the Amalfi Coast. This is just one of the many reasons why Italy is one of the most visited countries in the world.
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5. The Smallest Country
Did you know that you can find the world’s smallest country inside of Italy? Spanning 109 acres is Vatican City, which is roughly one-eighth the size of New York’s Central Park.
The mini-city is located in Rome and is packed with the world’s most famous monuments. When visiting Italy, most tourists stop to see the important landmarks, such as St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel.
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4. The Free Wine Fountain
Italy is known for its exquisite wine, but did you know that there’s actually a free-flowing wine fountain available around the clock? Dora Sarchese Vineyard, which has 44 acres of land and up to 100 thousand bottles produced, has a fountain that flows with wine.
The fountain is located in Abruzzo, Italy, which is found along Central Italy’s Eastern shoreline of the Adriatic Sea. Fun fact: In 2008, a plumbing error caused wine to flow into the homes of people living around the square for nearly three minutes.
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3. The Love for Espresso
For many of us, coffee in the morning keeps us going. Sometimes having two or three cups is a necessity. But in Italy, they’re known for having an astronomical amount of coffee, specifically espresso.
One of the many weird facts about Italy is that they consume roughly 14 billion espressos each year. With a population of over 60 million, that’s an incredible feat. Most Italians drink their daily coffee in local cafes, but others get their cup at home, with the average household consuming 81 pounds of coffee each year.
2. Italy Has Active Volcanos
A fact that isn’t often talked about is that Europe has three active volcanoes, including Etna, Vesuvius, and Stromboli, and Italy is the home of all of them. Mount Etna is located on the island of Sicily, and it last erupted in 2018, but you can see a plum of white steam rising from the peak.
Mount Stromboli is currently active but is located on its own island off the coast of Sicily. Mount Vesuvius is located in Naples and hasn’t erupted since 1944 when it caused major damage, and is responsible for catastrophic eruptions back in 79 B.C. in Pompeii.
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1. The Legend of Trevi Fountain
Italy is home to an abundance of historical landmarks and important structures, which includes the Trevi Fountain. Designed by Italian architect Nicola Salvi and completed by Giuseppe Pannini in 1762, the fountain stands 86 feet tall and 161 feet wide and is the largest Baroque fountain in the city, along with one of the most famous ones.
And with that comes one of the many weird facts about Italy, as tourists actually toss in nearly 3,000 euros in the fountain every day. Coins are tossed in because of a local legend that says if you toss in a coin from your right hand over your left shoulder, you will return to Rome one day.
And in a 1950s film, a second legend was born, saying if you toss in two coins, you’ll find a romance and have a Roman wedding. It’s estimated that tourists tossed $1.5 million in total in 2017. The money is collected and given to charity, so really, it’s not going to waste!
