It’s Fun Fact Tuesday at Statesman Ties. This week we’re featuring Italy, the country that inspired our Italy tie.

Fun Fact 1:  The Bridge of Sighs is one of the most photographed bridges in the world. It spans a canal between the Doge’s Palace and a prison. The bridge was given its name because according to folklore prisoners would sigh in despair as they crossed the bridge to the prison. The most famous person to cross the bridge to the prison is Casanova.

Fun Fact 2: Italy is home to more UNESCO World Heritage sites than any other country in the world coming in at 50. Among them is the Vatican City – also the smallest sovereign nation in the world and home to the pope (clocking in at just 108.7 acres). It is also home to another sovereign nation, the Republic of San Marino (25 square miles).

My favorite fun fact: Even though Roman history stretches back thousands of years, Italy as we know it is only 156 years old.

Do you have a favorite fact about Italy? Let us know! And don’t forget to check out our Italy tie. See you next Tuesday!