Quick Facts about Europe’s Biggest Cities

Like other continents, Europe is fascinating. There are many things about Europe that can surprise you. Not only is it interesting, but you can also easily search on the internet to find Europe flight deals.

Here are a few facts about the most famous European cities you probably didn’t know.

Paris

• The Eiffel Tower wasn’t supposed to be permanent. The tower was not meant to stand for longer than 20 years, back when it was built for the World Fair in 1889.
• Although now it’s French, Paris was originally a Roman city. It was called Lutetia.
• The first army to use camouflage was the French army. They began wearing it during World War 1 in 1915.
• The main bell in Notre Dame is called Emmanuel. Also, it weighs well over 13 tones.
• A flat in Paris was unoccupied and locked up for over 70 years, but its rent was paid for every month. When the tenant passed away, an original Boldini worth over $2 million was found inside.
• To reach the top of the tower, everyone must climb 1,665 steps. Unless they decide to hop on the elevator.

Venice

• The entire city is made on petrified logs. These logs came on boats from other countries like Croatia and Slovenia. The logs were mostly from Alder trees, which are famous for their water-resistance.
• The city is made of 118 Islands with around 400 bridges and 170 canals. The city is located in a world heritage site, Venetian Lagoon.
• It was known as La Serenissima between 697 and 1797. That was back when it was an independent republic. In 1797, however, Napoleon conquered the city. Over the next century, France and Austria fought over it. But it became part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1866.
• The city is already well populated, and it receives around 20 million tourists every year. The locals don’t like that, and they believe it’s unsustainable.
• Living in Venice is becoming quite expensive, which is why more and more locals are leaving every year. Venice had 120,000 full-time residents around 30 years ago, and now there are only 50,000.
• Because of many natural disasters and man-made causes, the city of Venice sinks about 1 to 2 mm every year.
• Because of the high tides in the Adriatic Sea and the rising sea levels due to climate change, the city is very prone to flooding. There is a siren system, and most locals also have downloaded apps to warn them about incoming floods.

To see more of this on a world map, check out this one from the Manly Man Co.

Prague

• Roughly 1.3 million people are living in the city of Prague.
• The Prague castle is known as the most massive castle in the world, according to the Guinness World Records.
• Prague has many traffic lights, including one on a street that is only 50 cm wide. The traffic lights are placed there, so two people won’t go into it from either side and get stuck.
• The people in Prague drink the most beer per capita in the world.
• Prague had the first university in Central Europe. Charles University is the largest in the Czech Republic and one of the oldest in the world.
• The Astronomical Clock in the city’s Old Town Square is one of the biggest attractions. It tells the time, day, season, moon phase, and equinoxes.

Vienna

• It is the only capital city in the entire world that produces substantial amounts of wine within the city limits. Vienna is home to 1,700 acres of vineyards and 320 vintners.
• Vienna is known as the World’s Capital of Music, as many famous composers have lived and performed there more than any other city in the world. Some of their old homes and apartments have been turned into museums.
• Vienna was home to Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis. His apartment is also turned into a museum.
• Croissants are a famous French pastry, but they originated in Vienna.
• Vienna has been voted 7 years in a row as the most livable city in the world.

Rome

• Although it is impossible to confirm, legend says that Romulus and his twin brother were raised by a she-wolf. They were later rescued and raised by a shepherd. After growing up, Romulus killed his brother Remus and become the first ruler of Rome in 753 B.C.
• People nowadays eat until their bellies ache. But back in ancient Rome, people used to throw up between meals just so they could eat more.
• The Romans legally allow their cats to live where they were born without anyone disturbing them. That’s why they are very common around the ruins and the Colosseum.
• People commonly think that ancient Romans wore togas. However, only free men could wear one, as it was the sign of Roman citizenship.
• Before 1870, Florence was the capital of Italy instead of Rome.
• Today, there are over 900 churches and 280 fountains that are open to the general public.
• The first-ever shopping mall was built during Emperor Trajan’s time. It had many levels and over 150 outlets. People could buy anything, from food to clothes.

Barcelona

• Barcelona has the largest football stadium in all of Europe. Known as Camp Nou, the F.C. Barcelona stadium was built in 1975 and has a seating capacity of over 99,350 people. It even has its own museum.
• The most famous site in Barcelona is La Sagrada Familia. It started construction in 1882, and it’s still going on. It’s said to be done by the year 2026.
• Gustave Eiffel originally pitched the idea of the Eiffel tower to the official of Barcelona. However, they rejected it because they thought the tower wouldn’t be anything special and might not match Barcelona’s landscape.
• Park Guell is an Antoni Gaudi’s masterpiece and a must-see attraction. The entire complex is beautiful, and it has lovely gardens. However, the locals had no interest in this housing complex, and there were no investors. That is why the original idea was abandoned. Yet still, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.

About Peter C.

Peter is a digital nomad who largely writes from Asia, Europe, and South America. Always following the "vibe," he sets up shop in hostels and AirBNB's and continues to entertain us with wild stories from life abroad.