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Trivial Pursuit-Italy Edition

This question might be a little unusual, but hopefully it'll be fun, and we can all learn something. I'm making a Trivial Pursuit game based around the locations we'll be visiting soon in Italy in order to increase our understanding of the area somewhat. (To quote from ETBD, "The more you understand a subject, the longer it stays interesting. Those with no background in medieval architecture are the first to get 'cathedraled-out.'") I am especially motivated to do this after hearing my aunt say, "We're staying in Rome too long-what is there to do for three days?!" She has since been persuaded that 3 days is almost not enough time, but I still feel that this would be a great way for us, as a group, to learn more about Italy before we go.

So let the trivia begin! I would love to hear your ideas for interesting facts about Italy. You can stick to the traditional Trivial Pursuit categories (Geography, Entertainment, History, Arts&Literature, Science&Nature, Sports&Leisure) or suggest a new category. Feel free to post trivia for anything Italian, not just facts about touristy areas, although that will probably be the focus of the game.

Thanks in advance for helping me research!

Posted by
276 posts

What a wonderful idea! I'm surprised you haven't had any responses yet. Maybe if you were a little more specific about your itinerary, age range, etc. you'd get more. I tried to think of some things off the top of my head, but cheated a little with the Sports and Leisure catagory:) Okay, these may be a little obvious in some cases or too obscure in others. But this is just to start things off:

(By the way, you only mentioned Rome in your post so that's what I've focused on.)

Geography---Which river runs through Rome? (English and/or Italian name) A. The Tiber (Tevere in Italian)

Entertainment---Which recent blockbuster film revolves around the Vatican? A. Angels and Demons

History---Who, according to legend, founded Rome? A. The twin brothers Romulus and Remus.

Arts & Literature---What word used to describe opportunistic photographers comes from the name of a character in the film "La Dolce Vita"? A. paparazzi, from the character Paparazzo.

Science & Nature---The main airport in Rome is named for what famous scientist/artist? A. Leonardo Da Vinci

Sports & Leisure---What are the two main Premier League soccer "football" teams in Rome? A. AS Roma and SS Lazio

Okay, these are a little lame, but it will at least bump your post back to the top for others to see:)

Again, I think this is a great idea; hope you get more contributions!

Posted by
1317 posts

I like this topic too, just haven't wrapped my head around questions to ask yet. Hmm...

Where can you find Michelangelo's tomb? A. Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence (along with Rossini, Machiavelli, and parts of Galileo, amongst others)

Posted by
8 posts

Those are great, Penny, thank you! Perfect general knowledge questions. I was trying to keep my itinerary as vague as possible so that I (or others, I'll probably post the questions on my website when it's done) can play the game even after this particular trip.

Just so you know, we're visiting most of the typical tourist areas- Rome, Florence, Tuscany/Umbria (based near Assisi/in Siena), Cinque Terre area, Milan, Venice/Veneto, Amalfi coast. It'll be a long trip, but I can't wait! Also, for age ranges, three of our party are in their late 50's, and I'm in college (but a nerdy college girl, I don't have much to do with the party scene)

Posted by
275 posts

Science: Name the Italian scientist who made the first electric battery. Answer: Alessandro Volta.

I'm not sure whether you can use this since Volta came from the Lake Como area.

History: Name the Italian island that Napoleon was exiled to in 1814. Answer: Elba.

Sport: Why do the Soccer teams AC Milan and Inter Milan use the English spelling Milan. Answer: They were both founded by English expatriates.

Art: Name the work of art on Italy's 10 Euro cent coin. Answer: Botticelli's Birth of Venus.

Posted by
922 posts

Geography: Q: What two microstates can be found within Italy's borders? A: Vatican City and the Republic of San Marino