Italy is known for its famous monuments. Many people know the infamous story of Pompeii, the village covered in volcanic ash. That ash preserved the building and the bodies and is now a popular tourist attraction. Another popular point of interest is the Colosseum. The Colosseum was used to execute Roman prisoners in front of audiences who cheered their deaths. These ruins date back to 70 AD and still stand today. It is also popular for its sports car manufacturers. Some big names are Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Fiat and Lamborghini. Italy is also rich in sports. Football is one of the main sports played by many people. On Saturdays and Sundays, thousands of people pay to see 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. Between the Colosseum and Pompeii there are many popular tourist attractions. Equally popular are the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Venice. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is leaning because it was built on soft ground that could not support its weight. It has tilted since its construction more than 840 years ago. It now hangs over 16 feet. Experts say it will remain tilted for another 200 years. Also you can see Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece, The Last Supper, which depicts what Jesus' last supper would have been like. Another popular tourist site is the Pantheon in Greece. Translated from Greek, Pantheon means "honor of all gods." No one knows how old the Pantheon is, but it is known that it was built for Romulus, the mythological founder of Rome. One of the larger pieces...... in the center of the card...... represents faith, while the red represents charity. Another meaning that some suggest is that green is for the mountains, white is for the mountains, and red is for the wars for their independence.”(Spiegel)The main religion in Italy is Roman Catholic. About 90% of the population is Catholic. Only about 30% go to church every week. The Vatican is the seat of government of the Roman Catholic Church and of 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. It took 109 years to build and is currently the largest dome in the world. The church is 448.1 feet tall from the floor to the top of the cross at the top of the dome. Italy is the home of many famous painters.