40 Amazing Facts about Rome

Rome Facts

Fun & Interesting  Facts About Rome

  1. Rome Hosted the 1960 Summer Olympics.

  2. Rome is the seat of United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, FAO.

  3. Rome became the capital city of Kingdom of Italy in 1870, which was previously held by Florence.

  4. Rome is known as the “Caput Mundi”, which translates from Latin, means “Capital of the World”.

  5. Rome is also known as the “Eternal City”.

  6. You can find around 280 fountains in Rome and the best thing is, you can drink from them.

  7. Rome is home to 900 Churches.

  8. Rome has more Christian churches than any other city in the World.

  9. You can find a Museum dedicated to Pasta in Rome, Museum of pasta food.

  10. The University of Rome, La Sapienza was established in 1303 AD, its the first University of Rome and is the largest University in Europe and second largest in the world.

  11. Rome was founded in 753 BC by Romulus.

  12. The Comune of Rome covers an overall area of 496 square miles.

  13. Rome coat of arms you see SPQR, which stands for “Senatus Populusque Romanus” and translates to “The Senate and the people of Rome”, you see this symbol SPQR all around the city.

  14. In Ancient Rome if you were free-born in Rome, Roman men were allowed to wear togas, which showed that they are citizens of Rome and if you were a woman, you would wear stoles, a different version of Toga which is made from Linen.

  15. The Romans had special toga cleaners called fullers.

  16. The Rome’s Mascot is a she-wolf, which cared for the Brothers Romulus and Remus, who are the legendary founders of Rome.

  17. The Romans would sometimes flood the whole Colosseum or Circus Maximus for a boat battle.

  18. In Ancient Rome women would dye their hair with goat fat and beech wood ashes, popular colours were blonde and red.

  19. Vatican city is enclaved within the city of Rome.

  20. Every Year, nearly 700,000 Euros worth of coins is tossed into the Rome’s Trevi Fountain and the proceeds are donated to Caritas, a Catholic charity to help those in need.

  21. Rome’s first shopping mall was built between 107 and 110 AD by Emperor Trajan.

  22. The Romans built a road network of 53,000 miles by the early fourth century, each Roman mile was about 1,000 paces or 4,800 feet and was then marked by a milestone.

  23. Rome is older than Italy, Italy did not become a unified nation until late in the 19th century and Rome was founded around 53 B.C, making Rome  2,500 years older than republic of Italy.

  24. Cats have a special law in Rome, A Roman law states that if at least five cats are living together, they cannot be “scatted”, this is why Rome has around 300,000 cats.

  25. Rome was the first modern city to reach a population of 1 Million.

  26. Ancient Rome was at least six times more densely populated than present-day New York City.

  27. The Colosseum of Rome is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

  28. A man could lose Roman citizenship if he deserted the arm.

  29. Ancient Romans celebrated a festival called “Saturnalia” in which slaves and their masters would switch places.

  30. The word “palace” comes from the Palatine Hill, where Augustus established the emperors’ tradition of building their palaces.

  31. Owning land during the Roman empire was so important that almost all Roman citizens owned at least a small plot.

  32. Roman days were divided into 12 hours, measured by a sundial.

  33. In Rome the Purple clothing was a status symbol and reserved only for emperors or senators.

  34. Rome Didn’t Become a Part of Italy until September 1870.

  35. There is a secret passage that’s leading from Vatican City to Castel Sant’Angelo.

  36. The Ancient city of Rome is about 30 feet below the modern street level.

  37. It is said that Romans used to throw Christians to the Lions in the Colosseum however there is no Proof to this myth.

  38. estimated population of Rome is 2,869,461, The urban area has a population of 3.8 million and the 4.3 million living in the metropolitan area. (2016).

  39. Elevation of Rome is 69 ft.

  40. Rome ranked as the 14th-most-visited city in the world, 3rd most visited in the European Union, and the most popular tourist attraction in Italy.

 

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21 Amazing facts about Madrid

Madrid Spain

FUN & INTERESTING FACTS MADRID

Madrid is one of Europe’s most beautiful cities and plays a major part in Spanish and European History, from cultural and Social Developments. 

  1. Madrid is the third biggest city in European Union, After London and Berlin, Madrid will be the second biggest City after the United Kingdom Leaves the European Union.

  2. Madrid became the European Capital city of Culture in 1992.

  3. Madrid became the Capital city three times, first in 1561, then 1601 and then 1938.

  4. The Name Madrid could possibly be over 2,200 years old when it was first mentioned in ancient Arabic records, Mayrit or Magerit, which means “Place of Abundant Water”.

  5. Madrid is where the monarch lives and also where the government meets.

  6. The Largest and Busiest Airport is located in Madrid.

  7. Madrid is one of Europe’s highest Capitals at 650 metres above sea level.

  8. Madrid was founded around the 860 A.C.

  9. Warner Brothers Museum is located in Madrid, where everyone can see the characters in their favourite movies.

  10. The Largest bullfighting area in Spain, which can seat almost 25,000 people is located in Madrid.

  11. Madrid’s Prado Museum has one of the finest collections of European art in the world.

  12. Madrid is classed the fourth richest cities in Europe after London, Paris and Moscow.

  13. The only monument to the devil in the world is located in the Retiro Park.

  14. The University of Salamanca located in Madrid is one of the four oldest educational Institutions in Europe.

  15. Real Madrid FC is the world’s most successful football clubs according to FIFA.

  16. In 1930’s during the Spanish Civil War, it was the first European city to be bombed from Air.

  17. Famous People born in Madrid: Rafael Benítez, Fernando Torres, Placido Domingo, Enrique Iglesias and Penelope Cruz.

  18. Spanish Financial centre is Madrid.

  19. The Bankia Tower is the highest building in Madrid and Spain, designed by Sir Norman Foster, who was knighthooded in the Queen’s Birthday honours and was honoured in 1999 with Life Peerage, Becoming Lord Foster of Thames Bank.

  20. The Official Symbol of Madrid is a Bear feasting on berries from the madroño tree, which stands for Madrid’s growth and represents the possession and importance of Wood.

  21. Madrid was ruled by the Romans from the 2nd century and was later occupied by the Moors, until 1083, when the Spanish ruled again.

 

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10 Amazing Facts about Lucca

Photos of Lucca

FUN & INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT LUCCA

 

  1. The City of Lucca was founded by the Etruscans.

  2. Lucca is the capital city of the Province of Lucca.

  3. The City is situated on the river Serchio and has very fertile plains near the Tyrrhenian Sea.

  4. Lucca Became a Roman village in 180 BC.

  5. Napoleon took over the city of Lucca in 1805 and put his Sister Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi as the “Queen of Etruria”.

  6. Famous people born in Lucca: Gemma Galgani, Pope Lucius III, Giacomo Puccini and Leo Nomenelli.

  7.  The city of Lucca is twinned with: Abingdon, United Kingdom city; Golgolin, Poland; Colmar, France; Schongau, Germany; Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Sint-Niklaas, Germany.

  8. Lucca means “illuminated glade”.

  9. Lucca is surrounded by 16th-century walls, with small narrow path walks.

  10. Until the French Revolution in 1789, Lucca was independent from Venice and Genoa.

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6 Amazing Facts about Jerez de la Frontera

Photos of Jerez de la Frontera

FUN & INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA

 

1. The City had a few names through out its history, started outas “Xeres” in Roman times and then became “Sherrish” under the Moorish rulers and finally ended up as “Jerez de la Frontera” in the 14th century because of its location, on the border of the Muslim and Christian ruled regions.

2. Jerez de la Frontera is well known for its horse breeding, the horses are a mixer of Arab, Spanish and English, known as the Andalusian horses.

3. Flamenco dance is a popular cultural feature of the city.

4. The English word for ‘Sherry’ comes from the 16th century pronunciation of Jerez.

5. Fortified wines was first exported to England from Jerez, dating back to the 14th century and in the 16th century a few British Catholics fled to Jerez and started up as wine traders.

6. Jerez de la Frontera is home to the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art.

 

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10 Amazing Facts about Genoa

Photos of Genoa

FUN & INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT GENOA

 

  1. Before Italy was United and became the Italian Republic, Genoa was a republic that included the island of Corsica.

  2. The World’s greatest explorer Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa in 1451 and donated part of his income from the discovery of the Americas to his hometown. His house stands as a Monument.

  3. The People of Genoa are called Genoese.

  4. List of some Famous Genoese people: Andrew Doria, Niccolò Paganini, and Giuseppe Garibaldi.

  5. Europe’s first modern bank opened up in Genova.

  6. The world’s oldest bank, the Banca Monte Dei Paschi Di Siena, dates back to the 12th Century. The first recorded public bond and foreign exchange contract happened in Genova, which dates back to 1150 and 1156.

  7. Pesto was created in Genoa, locals call it Pesto alla Genoverse, which derived from the Genoese verb pesta, which means to ‘to Crush’.

  8. The Worldest oldest Insurance company, the Tam Mari Quam Terra, was founded in Genoa in 1424.

  9. The Golden age of Genoa was in the 16th Century.

  10. Genoa has been a major seaport since the 12th Century.

 

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10 Amazing Facts about Exeter

Photos of Exeter

FUN & INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT EXETER

 

  1. The Exeter Guildhall is the oldest civic building in Britain, parts of the building dates as far back as 1160.

  2. Exeter was founded by the Romans, once called Isca and was the tribal capital of the Domnonirums.

  3. There are 7 other places around the world called Exeter, including Towns in Canada, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.

  4. During Medieval Britain, Exeter had man-made drinking water system that brought pure spring water into the city.

  5. Exeter was the last place where a woman was trialed and executed for witchcraft.

  6. The Royal Clarence Hotel is the oldest in Britain, which was built in 1769 and some parts can be dated back to the 1500’s.

  7. Famous people that come from Exeter include JK Rowling, Chris Martin, Tommy Cooper and William Temple, among others.

  8. The Cathedral of St Peter dates back to 1050 and was rebuilt in 1258 In decorative gothic style.

  9. If you go out in Exeter you are likely to be caught on camera over 300 times a day.

  10. The estimated population of Exeter is around 144,328 and has the second highest population in Devon.

 

 

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5 Amazing Facts about Eupen

Eupen City

FUN & INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT EUPEN

 

 

  1. The Official Language of Eupen is German.

  2. After World War I, the Treaty of Versailles transferred Eupen from Germany to Belgium.

  3. Eupen is the Capital city of Belgium’s German-Speaking Community.

  4. The old French name of the town was Néau.

  5. Eupen’s association football team, the K.A.S Eupen is the first German-speaking Community to play in the Belgian Pro.

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20 Amazing Facts about Florence

Photographs of Florence, Italy

FUN & INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT FLORENCE

 

  1. Florence is the Birthplace of the Piano, Invented by Bartolomeo Cristofori in the 18th Century.

  2. Gucci was founded in 1921 by Guccio Gucci in Florence.

  3. Florence was the first city in Europe to have paved streets in 1339.

  4. Florence is the Birthplace of Leonardo Da Vinci, who was born in the lower valley of the Arno River on the 15th of April 1452.

  5. Florence is the Capital City of the Region of Tuscany.

  6. Between 1865 and 1870, Florence was the Capital city of the United Kingdom of Italy.

  7. The World’s most famous nurse, Florence Nightingale was born in Florence on the 12th of May 1820.

  8. In the late 16th Century, Opera was Invented in Florence.

  9. The people of Florence spoken Fiorentino, which was the Tuscan dialect and now the parent language of modern Italian.

  10. The Legions of Giulio Ceasar founded the village in 59BC and named it Florentia, Now known as Florence.

  11. The oldest church in Florence is the Basilica di San Lorenzo and burial place of the Medici Family.

  12. Almost a third of the world’s art treasures reside in Florence, according to UNESCO,

  13. The Salvatore Ferragamo Shoe Museum has thousands of pair of shoes on display, one of the oddest Museum.

  14. “Il Duomo” of Florence took approximately 140 years to build.

  15. 8. Between the 13th and 18th centuries, lions were kept in a den in front of the Duomo for the amusement of the citizens and became the symbol of independence for Florence.

  16. The Ponte Vecchio is the only bridge in Florence that survived World War II. Hitler stated that it’s too beautiful to destroy.

  17. The Duomo in Florence is the 3rd largest in the world, only beaten by St.Peter’s Basilica in Rome and St. Paul’s in London.

  18. The Medici family was once the richest family of Florence, they ruled the city for around 350 years, making their fortune themselves as bankers, businessmen, and art dealers as well as gaining political power.

  19. The Grand Duchy of Tuscany was the first state to abolish capital punishment in November 1786.

  20. Florence has had two floods; one on November 4, 1333, and November 4, 1966.

 

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