Italy. The Italian wolf, scientifically known as Canis lupus italicus, is considered to be Italy's national animal. The association goes back to Roman mythology and the founding of Rome. A wolf nursed the twin babies, Romulus and Remus, when they were abandoned by their mother.
It is unofficially considered the national animal of Italy. The Italian wolf (Canis lupus italicus or Canis lupus lupus), also known as the Apennine wolf, is a subspecies of grey wolf native to the Italian Peninsula.
The Italian wolf is the national animal of Italy because of the wolf's place in Italy's history and folklore. The founders of Rome were twins named Romulus and Remus. They were supposedly nursed and cared for by a she-wolf after they were smuggled away to keep them from being killed.
One of the many national symbols of Italy, the strawberry tree is considered Italy's national fruit. While strawberries are popular in Italy, the strawberry tree and its green leaves, white flowers, and red fruit has come to represent Italy.
The Italian wolf, which inhabits the Apennine Mountains and the Western Alps, features prominently in Latin and Italian cultures, such as in the legend of the founding of Rome. It is the national animal of Italy.
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What is Italy's signature animal?
The Italian wolf, scientifically known as Canis lupus italicus, is considered to be Italy's national animal. The association goes back to Roman mythology and the founding of Rome. A wolf nursed the twin babies, Romulus and Remus, when they were abandoned by their mother.
Wolves. The ancient Greeks associated wolves with Apollo, and the Romans associated wolves with Mars. In Roman mythology, the Capitoline Wolf nursed Romulus and Remus, sons of Mars and future founders of Rome. As a consequence, the she-wolf became a symbol of Rome and the Romans.
Italy. The beautiful lily is the national flower for this beautiful country. This certainly isn't surprising, though, considering that the lily represents beauty to begin with.
The emblem of the Italian Republic is characterised by three elements: the star, the cog-wheel, and olive and oak branches. The olive branch symbolises the nation's will for peace, embracing both internal concord and international brotherhood.
As a cultural superpower, Italy has long been a renowned global centre of art, music, literature, cuisine, fashion, science and technology, and the source of multiple inventions and discoveries. It has the highest number of World Heritage Sites (60) and is the fifth-most visited country in the world.
The Gigiàtt is, in Lombard folklore traditions, a deer of enormous proportions that feeds on hikers and travelers. The Scultone, in Sardinian popular belief, was a dragon-like creature that killed men and animals near Baunei. The Bisso Galeto is a legendary creature of the Veronese valleys.
The strawberry tree is the national tree of Italy because of its green leaves, its white flowers and its red berries, colors that recall the Italian flag.
The Italian Flag has three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and red. The design was inspired by the French flag brought to Italy by Napoleon in 1797.
Italy's undisputed number-one sport is soccer (called il calcio). All other sports are a distant second, and on the night of a big match, expect to see sports bars jammed with loud fans, followed by a horn-blowing parade of cars after a victory.
Campari. Originating from a small local bar in the province of Novara in the 1800s, Campari is now a widely favourite drink in Italy and across the world. Made from a mixture of herbs, spices, fruits and alcohol, Gaspare Campari formulated the bitter recipe for the drink that later took over Italy and Europe by storm.
The Mediterranean diet forms the basis of Italian cuisine, rich in pasta, fish, fruits, and vegetables. Cheese, cold cuts, and wine are central to Italian cuisine, and along with pizza and coffee (especially espresso) form part of Italian gastronomic culture.
The strawberry tree began to be considered one of the national symbols of Italy in the 19th century, during the Italian unification, because with its autumn colors it remembers the flag of Italy (green for its leaves, white for its flowers and red for its berries).
It is the oldest national symbol of Italy, since it dates back to Graeco-Roman mythology when Venus, associated with the West as an evening star, was adopted to identify the Italian peninsula. From an allegorical point of view, the Stella d'Italia metaphorically represents the shining destiny of Italy.
Roses thrive in the hot, low humidity environment that Italy provides. Roses carry an overall significance, but of course, their color is more than just for show. For example, red roses, signify passion and love, white roses symbolize pureness, yellow roses denote jealousy and the new blue roses imply mystery.
The Capitoline Wolf is the iconic statue depicting Romulus and Remus being nursed by a she-wolf. It shares a captivating narrative that unites these two cities through their mythology and symbols. This story is part of our broader collection of Italy travel guides for curious and mature travelers.
It is illegal to kill feral cats in Italy, as national law has prohibited it since 1991. Feral cats are legally protected and have the right to live freely within their colonies. Harming or killing a cat is a crime and can be prosecuted under the law, with Law No. 281/1991 establishing a no-kill policy for feral cats.
The eagle remains one of the most famous animal symbols associated with ancient Rome today. Most famously, the eagle, or aquila, featured on the standard of the Roman Legions. The standard bearer, the Aquilifer, would carry the eagle standard into battle. This was a hugely prestigious position within the Roman army.
