Italy is known for its popular monuments. Many people know the infamous story of Pompeii, the village covered in volcanic ash. These ashes preserved the building and bodies and are now a popular tourist site. Another popular point of interest is the Colosseum. The Colosseum was used to execute Roman prisoners in front of an audience applauding their deaths. These ruins date back to 70 AD and still exist today. It is also appreciated for its sports car manufacturers. Some big names are Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Fiat and Lamborghini. Italy is also very sporty. Football is one of the main sports played by many people. On Saturdays and Sundays, thousands of people pay to watch the game in person. Italy has one of the most successful football teams in Europe with 27 trophies. Italy is also one of the best basketball countries in Europe. Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Reggie Jackson arrived from Italy. Along with these sports, volleyball, cycling and water polo are also popular. Among the Colosseum and Pompeii, there are many popular tourist sites. The Leaning Tower of Pisa and Venice are equally popular. The Leaning Tower of Pisa leans because it was built on soft ground that could not support its weight. It has been leaning since its construction more than 840 years ago. It now leans more than 16 feet. Experts say it will last another 200 years. You can also see Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece, The Last Supper, which depicts what Jesus' last supper would have looked like. Another popular tourist site is the Pantheon in Greece. Translated from Greek, Pantheon means “honor of all the gods.” No one knows how old the Pantheon is, but we do know that it was made for Romulus, the mythological founder of Rome. One of the most...... middle of paper ......ite represents faith, and red represents charity. Another meaning suggested by some is that green is for mountains, white is for mountains, and red is for wars for their independence. » (Spiegel) The main religion of Italy is Roman Catholic. About 90 percent of the population is Catholic. Only about 30 percent attend church each week. The Vatican is the seat of government of the Roman Catholic Church and the Pope, the spiritual leader of the world's Roman Catholics (Just Landed). The Vatican also has a peacekeeping force called the Swiss Guard. St. Peter's Basilica is one of the largest churches in the world. It was designed by Michelangelo. Its construction took 109 years and is currently the largest dome in the world. The church is 448.1 feet tall, from the ground to the top of the cross at the top of the dome. Italy is home to many famous painters..