Italy Culture
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Italy Culture

This country is overflowing with rich Italy culture and history, therefore - it’s difficult to travel here without immersing yourself into a world of colourful manifestations of great human achievements in some way or another. It is a place filled with Italian beauty of deep-seated roots, especially when it comes to religion, ancient myths & stories, importance of family, love for fashion, amazing food and a passion for enjoying life to the fullest. 

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More About Italy Culture

  • Language The official language of the country is Italian and over 90% of the population speak the native tongue. Italy culture is quite diverse depending on the region you are in and there are many dialects that are spoken throughout the country.  This is especially true in the northern regions and in the smaller towns and villages that are scattered throughout the peninsula. Italian became the country's official language in 1861.
  • Food - Italy culture is perhaps best known for its delicious cuisine and needles to say - Italian food has infiltrated the hearts and diets of many, from countries all across the globe. Famous for its fresh ingredients and rich flavours - Italian food has made a staple for so many at the dinner table. When it comes to its signature dishes, Italy is best known for pastas, pizzas, risotto, gelato, tiramisu and rich strong coffees.

  • Family - Italy culture is one that is largely based on family values and familial roots. For the most part - Italian families stay close and care for one another both financially and emotionally. Often times, extended families can be found living together and it's not uncommon for kids to live with their parents well into their 30's. Older folk such as great parents will often keep on living their long lives with family instead of retirement homes, this way -  the younger generation has a chance to give back and take care of the elderly family members in time of need. 

  • Fashion - Appearance can very important in Italy culture and because of this, the country is known for its influence on the fashion world. "La Bella Figura" is a concept that holds high importance to many people here and Italian beauty can be seen shining through in many spots of this amazing place. Many locals believe that the way you dress and present yourself to others is important; furthermore - it is what you will be judged on in the face of society. This famous expression even refers to good manners and polite behaviour, while conducting yourself in Italy on a daily basis. Milan is considered to be the fashion capital of the world and this country happens to be a home to some of the most influential and successful designers and their brands that take pride of being made in Italy.

  • Religion - Catholicism is the primary religion in Italy and majority of the population practice this belief. Vatican - located in Rome is the nerve centre of Christianity. It is governed by the Bishop of Rome, known as the pope, and is the smallest state in the world. It is a very sophisticated organization with its own television station and a radio station that broadcasts all over the world in many languages. The Vatican has its own post office, publishing house, shops, museums and much more. Needless to say - it has a strong influence on the country's population as well as abroad with a mission to guide some 1.3 billion baptized supporters on their behaviour and beliefs according to Christianity. Italy celebrates a lot of religious festivals, many honouring the patron saints; furthermore - quite a few landmarks, squares, ports, sanctuaries and so on are named after these celebrated holy individuals.

  • History - Italy culture enjoys the well earned name as the birthplace of modern civilization. Its ancient ways and deep-rooted history is rich with pioneering inventions and innovative ideas that've helped shape and mould the way that we live today, from advances in medicine, mathematics and architecture to significant influence in music and the arts. Without Italy’s majestic impact on many nations throughout the ages, the world as we know it would be a much different place. Made in Italy isn't just a tag or a sticker on a product, in fact they are responsible for the invention of motorways, newspapers, banks, typewriters, welfare, ballet, opera - and the list goes on and on.

Italy culture that abounds in here is full of knowledge and in may travellers - it catalyzes a deep-seated quest for learning new things and seeking answers. It is a faith based environment with strong traditions and beliefs; it is a lifestyle that values personal connections and family ethics. It is extremely difficult to travel here and not find yourself immersed into the leisurely way of life and being drawn to the ancient history that has tied us all together over many many centuries. 



Italian Myths

One could not talk about Italy culture without mentioning the myths and the traditional stories of the early history of its people. Much of Italian mythology comes from the Greeks and many of the Greek gods are basically just renamed. Many of modern Italians still believe in the evil eye and can be quite superstitious. Their traditions, values, beliefs and customs have been moulded trough the centuries; they were developed and shaped by events that took place throughout history as well as culture of Italy that emerged as a result. Below are some of the prominent Italian myths, gods, and beliefs:

  • Anteros is the God of passion and love, who was believed to punish those who did not return love for love given
  • Aradia is a witch Goddess who was believed to protect women against the aggression of men
  • Carmenta is the Goddess of spells known for her chants to aid women in labour and children in sickness
  • Februus is the God of purification who is believed to live in the underworld
  • Fortuna is the Goddess of fortune and fate, but also fertility
  • Jana is the Moon Goddess believed to have two faces, present and past
  • Jove is considered to be the Sky God and the king of all gods
  • Nox is the night Goddess and considered to be the oldest of all gods, all things are believed to have their beginnings from her
  • Umbria is the Goddess of secrets, shadows, and darkness, and just like Februus is believed to be living in the underworlds
  • Malocchio is last but not least - the The Evil Eye; many modern Italian people as well as American-Italians still believe in this and take precautions to avoid the evil and unfortunate spell that they believe it can hold 

For more information about Italy culture visit EveryCulture.com for their great write-up about the history of Italy, the people, clothing and designers, beliefs and so on. Plus, there is a huge amount of feedback from people with first-hand experience which is a very helpful resource. 



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