Saint Valentine

Published: 31 December 2025

Saint Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14th in many countries around the world and is recognised by several churches as an official feast day.

Although little is known about Saint Valentine of Rome himself, the most popular story claims that he was imprisoned for performing illegal weddings for Christian couples and soldiers. While under house arrest, Valentine restored the sight of Julia, the adopted daughter of his jailer, Judge Asterius, who proceeded to release all of the Christians under his authority, and to have his entire family and staff baptised.

However, Valentine continued to preach illegally and was finally summoned to appear before the emperor Claudius himself. Although Claudius initially liked him, when Valentine attempted to convert him as well, he was sentenced to death. The sentence was carried out on February 14th, near the Flaminian Gate in the north of Rome. Apparently, before his execution, he wrote a farewell letter to Julia, the girl whose sight he had saved, signed: "Your Valentine".

The English poet, Geoffrey Chaucer, is credited with having first established Valentine's Day as being associated with romantic love during the 14th century.

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Area

301,340 km²

Covers a long peninsula extending into the Mediterranean, plus two major islands — Sicily and Sardinia — and numerous smaller island groups. The geography includes alpine regions, fertile plains, volcanic zones, and extensive coastline, shaping settlement, climate, and transport patterns.

Population

~59 million

One of the largest populations in the European Union, with density concentrated in urban and northern regions. Long-term demographic trends include low birth rates, population ageing, and increasing reliance on inward migration for workforce balance.

Coastline

~7,600 km

A predominantly maritime nation bordered by the Tyrrhenian, Adriatic, Ionian, and Ligurian seas. The extended coastline supports ports, tourism, fisheries, naval infrastructure, and a long-standing seafaring and trading tradition.

UNESCO sites

The highest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites globally, spanning ancient cities, archaeological landscapes, historic centres, and cultural routes. This reflects Italy’s layered civilisations and the density of preserved cultural assets across its territory.

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Member of the Eurozone, with monetary policy set at European Central Bank level. Use of the euro facilitates trade, investment, and financial integration across the EU single market.

Time

CET / CEST

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Tourism

~50–65M

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Global role

A founding member of the European Union and a permanent participant in G7 coordination. Italy’s influence is exercised through diplomacy, industrial capability, cultural reach, and multilateral institutions.

Governance