What is the capital of Italy?
Rome is the capital of Italy and its largest city, with about 2.8 million people. It became the capital of a unified Italy in 1871.
Italy was unified in the 1860s, with Turin and then Florence serving as capitals. Rome was still ruled by the Pope. In 1870, Italian troops entered the city, and it was declared the capital the following year.
Rome was the center of the ancient Roman Empire, and its ruins, including the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Pantheon, attract millions of visitors. The historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A country within a city
Vatican City, the smallest independent country in the world and the home of the Pope, lies entirely within Rome. Milan is Italy's second-largest city and its financial and fashion capital.
Rome is famous for ancient sites such as the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Pantheon, which still has the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome. Vatican City, an independent country and the home of the Pope, lies entirely within Rome. Visitors traditionally toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, which is said to guarantee a return trip.
Did You Know?
Rome is sometimes called the Eternal City. According to legend, it was founded by the twins Romulus and Remus in 753 BC.