In this material we will tell you about money in Italy, where you will find out what currency is used to pay in this country. Since 2002, Italy has had a single currency for the entire European Union - the euro. This is convenient for tourists planning a trip to Europe, since this money can be used throughout the EU. If we recall a little history, until 2002 Italians used the Italian lira, which was introduced under King Charlemagne in 790. It was he who initiated the reform, but for united Italy, minting began only in 1861 and within a year the lyre began to be used everywhere.

Coins of various denominations were introduced into circulation, and a number of them were made of gold. But after World War II, in order to save money, gold had to be replaced with stainless steel. After the introduction of the euro in Italy, it took another year to withdraw the old currency and completely switch to the new money. Today, all EU countries have introduced notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros and coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cents, as well as coins of 1 and 2 euros . They are different from each other, and have different designs and patterns on the reverse.

The Italians themselves chose which images to mint and the voting was carried out by one of the popular Italian TV channels RAI. It must be said that currency exchange is carried out not only in banks, at railway stations, airports and hotels, but also in special machines. If you are planning to make an exchange at a specialized institution, then it must be said that banks in Italy are usually open from 8.30 am and close at approximately 16-17 hours. Be sure to pay attention to the commission percentage when making a transaction, this is especially important at the airport or train station, as it can be up to 10%.

You can exchange no more than 500 euros at a time and the operation is carried out with a passport. If you only take cash with you on your trip, remember that you must have at least 50 euros per person per day. UniCredit and Intesa are considered one of the most popular banks in Italy and their ATMs can be found in every city, so if you have their cards, we recommend taking them with you.

Tips

In most establishments in Italy, the tip is already included in the bill and is usually 10% of the total amount; this can be seen on the receipt, where it will be written “servizio e copreto”. For this reason, many people do not consider it necessary to tip beyond this amount. But if the client is satisfied with the service, then you can add another 5%. Local residents, as a rule, limit their gratitude to no more than 5 euros. In hotels, tips are also already included in the bill, but you can thank the staff additionally.

Photo: pxhere.com

It is not customary to thank doormen, except during the Christmas holidays. During this period, they are given 1-2 euros, and about 0.25 cents are left for calling a taxi. Taxi drivers usually do not expect generous tips, but they will always accept an additional payment of 5-7% with gratitude. Many passengers do not take the change, which the drivers also keep for themselves. Tourists traveling to Venice should know that gondoliers expect a tip of 1-2 euros.

Cashless payments

Use for payment bank cards possible in all shopping centers, shops, hotels, restaurants and cafes, as well as in places where there are always a lot of tourists, for example, when paying for attractions. This applies not only to large cities, but also to small towns. The fact that the establishment accepts non-cash payments is evidenced by stickers on the doors with the words Master Card, Visa, Diners Сlub or “Carta – si”. But it is worth keeping in mind that when traveling on buses, the metro, in a taxi, in small souvenir shops or in the city market, they mostly pay only in cash.

Rules for the import and export of currency

Please note that crossing the border with an amount of more than 10 thousand euros requires declaration, otherwise you can receive a significant fine, which will start from 300 euros. Also, customs will definitely inquire about the origin of these Money and if your explanations do not raise doubts, then you will be released, and the entire undeclared amount will be temporarily withdrawn until the end of the inspection and a decision on the amount of the fine.

If the amount is more significant and the money was hidden, then measures of temporary detention may be applied until the circumstances are clarified. In conclusion, it is worth adding that money in Italy is always useful for tourists, since it is quite dear country for travel, but very interesting. In our next article we will tell you whether from a mobile or landline home phone. You will also learn the telephone codes of some popular Italian cities.

Let us remind you that all coins of all Eurozone countries are liquid means of payment in all countries, that is, in Italy you can pay with any euro coins from any other country.

This is one of the most beautiful coins minted in European countries and is quite a good gift for friends and acquaintances. And such a souvenir is very inexpensive, only 1 eur. In addition to the usual ones, on the Apennine Peninsula you can find 13 more commemorative coins in denominations of 2 eur, although the likelihood of stumbling upon them is low. You saw one of them, dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Human Rights, at the beginning of this article.

All Italian metal money has its own design, and in the following table we will present you with the free choice of citizens of this country. Watch and decide for yourself whether you approve of the Italians’ choice or not.

Coins of 1, 2 and 5 cents, or as the Italians themselves call them “centimes,” are quite rare, since Italians like to round up prices. In Italian, “sento” means one hundred, hence the name. However, the word cent itself comes from the Latin “centum”.

In what form is it better to take currency to Italy?

We advise you to buy cash euros in Russia and travel to the Apennine Peninsula with them. Cash is always valuable and some retail outlets offer discounts to customers in this case, since a commission is charged for any transfer of money by credit card.

All terms of use Visa cards and Mastercard abroad, it is better to check with your bank in advance so as not to be surprised later.

Another problem that some tourists face is the blocking of cards when making international payments, since now Russian banks are suspicious of such operations. In this case, you will have to call your homeland and explain that you are in Italy and want to withdraw money from a credit card and pay for international negotiations.

Prices in Italy, what and how much it costs

We would not advise those who want to feast for a small fee to go to Italy. The prices for operating expenses are quite high here. There is no “all-inclusive” here, and the room price usually only includes breakfast.

It is also worth mentioning that seaside resorts charge a fee for the use of sun loungers and umbrellas. You will have to pay 5 euros per day for a sunbed, and an umbrella will cost another 10 units of European currency. Tourists, accustomed in Turkey and Egypt to the fact that all this is given out for free, are often shocked by this.

Unpleasant moments, or what else they can charge you for

The first warning concerns shoppers. In 2005, a very strict law was passed to combat the spread of counterfeits of well-known brands. If you purchase a counterfeit, you may well be arrested and fined, which can reach 10,000 euros.

Conclusions: always ask the seller for a receipt and keep it until the end of the trip. If you buy a counterfeit, the check automatically transfers you from the status of a violator to the status of a victim.

The next legal way of taking money from tourists is the “tourist tax”. It must be paid upon departure from the hotel; it will appear as a separate line on the invoice. Typically, it is 5 euros per night, but can be higher depending on which city you are staying in.

During the excursions, you will be offered many additional services, for example, in order to hear the guide well, you will be recommended to rent headphones, and the guides themselves try to speak more quietly so that the service is more in demand. Additional services are especially relevant in Venice.

Some cafes and restaurants include a service charge in the bill, usually 10%, which takes up a separate line on the bill. They like to publish information about additional services in the restaurant only in Italian, without even bothering to translate it into English. Be careful, there will be many contenders for your currency in your pocket in Italy.

Read our other informative articles about Italy ( links below).

Euro (Euro, €), equal to 100 cents. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros, coins in denominations of 1 and 2 euros, as well as 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents.

Banking and currency exchange

Banks are open Monday to Friday from 8.30 to 13.30 and from 15.00 to 16.00 (or an hour after lunch). Saturday and Sunday are days off. In regions, bank opening hours may have local peculiarities - in Lombardy, for example, many banks close at 13.00, and in tourist areas of the coast they are open without lunch from 8.30 to 16.00. On national and religious holidays, almost all banks are closed.

You can exchange currency at any bank, ATM, post office or exchange office (located throughout the main streets). It is advisable to keep receipts for the exchange, especially in the event that a reverse conversion is required. foreign currency. At airports, as a rule, the exchange rate is somewhat less favorable, but exchange offices there operate around the clock. At the same time, bank offices and exchange offices often work only with a limited range of currencies ( Russian rubles almost impossible to exchange). Exchange rates for major currencies are published daily in all major newspapers.

Many restaurants, hotels, shops and department stores accept credit cards(Visa, American Express, MasterCard, Diners Club and Carte Blanche are preferred). In establishments that work with credit cards, notices “Carta - si” or logos of accepted cards are usually posted in the window. Most gas stations require payment in cash, but on major highways and in historic parts of cities, small gas stations that accept credit cards are ubiquitous.

ATMs (indicated by the Bancomat sign) are everywhere, even in small provincial towns. However, some banks charge a large commission (from 2.5% to 4%) when withdrawing money from an ATM.

Travel checks are accepted at most major retail outlets, restaurants, rental offices, etc. To avoid additional expenses Due to exchange rate fluctuations, it is recommended to take checks in euros or pounds sterling with you (checks in US dollars have been clearly reluctant to be accepted lately).

Large sums of money

According to Italian law, it is prohibited to transfer from hand to hand an amount equal to or greater than 12 thousand euros. This is a criminal offense and all large amounts must be transferred through a bank or check only.

Tips

Despite the widespread use of complex prices that include payment for all services, in the case of good service It is customary to tip 10-15% of the order amount or simply round the amount up (the latter is common in bars and small street cafes). Italians themselves can leave a tip in a premium establishment, but never pay over the bill in a cafe, taxi or pizzeria. When serving at the counter, tips are not accepted, and in general this method of dining is noticeably cheaper, since when seated at a table an additional “restaurant fee” is automatically charged, which in the case of a small order can easily double or even triple its cost.

Taxi drivers are not required to tip, but doormen and porters are required to leave 1-2 euros.

Price level

Italy is the most expensive country in southern Europe, although on its territory there is clearly a noticeable difference in prices between the northern and southern regions, as well as between large cities and the provinces. Hotels of the highest category ask for their services over 200 euros per night (usually breakfast or lunch is included in such prices), hotels of the middle category - 40-120 euros. In low-level hotels (previously they were designated pension, or pensione, but are now usually classified as one- or two-star) you can spend the night for 14-40 euros, depending on the level of additional amenities and proximity to the city center. Private boarding houses and very popular private hotels in Italy in villages (designated as agriturismi) are also divided depending on the level of services according to the European “star” system.

Hotels include VAT (IVA, 20-21%) in room rates. The exception is expensive five-star hotels, where the IVA is 13% and is added as a separate item to the bill. According to local law, tourists are required to obtain an official receipt for the entire range of hotel services and keep it until leaving the country, but in practice this requirement is practically not observed (especially in relation to groups). The staff is also obliged to provide the guest with comprehensive information about the operation of local transport (including car rental offices) and other characteristic nuances of a given place, however, this service is almost not in demand, since only employees of hotels of large international chains or tourist centers usually know foreign languages.

Many Italian hotels, especially those located in historical buildings in the city center, do not have their own restaurant, offering food in the nearest street establishment. However, even if there is a restaurant, meals on half board or full board are practically not found. Some hotels do not include breakfast in the stated price of rooms, adding its cost to the bill (often breakfast at a hotel can cost as much as a hearty dinner at a nearby city restaurant, so this point must be clarified before check-in). Also characteristic feature Most local hotels are small in size of many rooms, especially single rooms.

Camping is very popular in Italy, with over 1,700 official campsites scattered throughout the country. Any TCI (Italian Touring Club) tourist office will provide information and details of all nearby sites, as well as issue their Campeggi in Italia guide. Larger sites offer tents and "caravans" for rent and are usually equipped with restaurants, currency exchange offices and other infrastructure. Staying in places not designated for camping is prohibited - all land in the country is private, so a tourist in this way can not only violate road or environmental rules, but also face criminal prosecution for violating private property rights.

Food prices are also quite high. You can spend 40-45 euros per day if you have lunch and dinner in street cafes (without alcohol!). Lunch at the hotel restaurant will cost 40-60 euros, dinner can cost twice as much. At the same time, with some skill, you can always find pizzerias and cafes where you can spend 20-30 euros for lunch and 40-50 for dinner (wine can double this amount, although you can always find inexpensive ordinary varieties). A liter bottle of mineral water will cost 1-1.5 euros, a bottle of Peroni beer - 2-2.5 euros, a small pizza - 2-5 euros, a portion of pasta - 4-9 euros. However, in provincial restaurants and small city cafes (trattorie), prices are always somewhat lower, but so is the level of service. It should be borne in mind that almost all establishments in large cities consider themselves apologists for “author cuisine”, so the price of even a seemingly simple pizza or pasta here can reach up to 20 euros.

Despite the widespread use of complex prices that include payment for all services, in case of good service it is customary to tip 10-15% of the order amount or simply round the amount up (the latter is common in bars and small street cafes). When serving at the counter, tips are not accepted, and in general this method of dining is noticeably cheaper, since when seated at a table an additional “restaurant fee” is automatically charged, which in the case of a small order can easily double or even triple its cost. Taxi drivers are not required to tip, but doormen and porters are required to leave 1-2 euros.

When paying for any goods or services, the law for a long time obligated the buyer to require a tax receipt (ricevuta fiscale), without which the client had no right to leave the establishment. This rule was recently repealed, and now the buyer does not face a fine if the seller does not give him a receipt. But it’s better to still demand it, at least in order to check whether there is any deception in the seller’s actions. However, the staff will most often prepare all the documents themselves without additional requirements, since fiscal reporting in the country is quite strict.

Widespread cashless system payments for goods and services - in any store the buyer will definitely be asked how he will pay. You should definitely find out the terms of payment - for some products and goods it is more profitable to pay with a credit card (less taxes), but in some cases it is easier to pay in cash.

The variation in prices for goods is very noticeable even within the same shopping area. You can get an idea of ​​the average price by going to a large supermarket, but in general it is recommended to go to several stores of the same type in order to be able to choose the appropriate option based on price - there are practically no problems with the assortment here, unless we are talking about some exclusive products. A system of seasonal discounts is widespread, especially in winter and spring - during the Christmas holidays, Easter and the eves of various local holidays, general sales are held, during which the cost of many goods from old collections is reduced by 30-40%. Discounts on sporting goods and equipment usually occur at the end of the season. There is also a whole network of stock stores where goods from last year's collections are sold at greatly reduced prices.

It is not customary to bargain in stores, although it is quite possible in markets, and in this way you can reduce the price of street sellers by 2-3 times.

When buying shoes, you should keep in mind that the Italian size designation system does not coincide with the European and Russian ones. As a rough guide, you can be 1 size larger - Russian 37 corresponds to Italian 38. Clothing sizes, on the contrary, are 6 units smaller than ours: 38 Italian corresponds to 44 Russian.

Serious fines are imposed on people who buy counterfeit goods, so you should always be careful about the authenticity of the items you buy, especially if they come with well-known brand labels. Since May 2005, for the purchase of counterfeit wallets, sunglasses, watches, belts, etc., you can be subject to criminal prosecution, which for a foreigner usually ends with a fine of up to 10 thousand euros! The only salvation in this case can be a cash receipt from the store where the item was purchased - the punishment will fall on the heads of the merchants, not the tourists. Therefore, it is not recommended to buy anything from dubious establishments or on street stalls.

Certain difficulties also arise for people importing such goods into the country, even if these are personal items in one copy. However, the most interesting thing is that in shopping arcades, usually concentrated near all popular attractions, there is no decrease in the share of Chinese or Albanian counterfeits.

VAT and tax-free

For most goods, including clothing, VAT (IVA) is officially 20%. At the same time, there are a number of preferential goods - for the disabled and some food products (vegetables, bread, milk, vegetable oil - 10%), books and printed music publications (4%), etc. VAT is usually included in the price, for Its services are often distinguished separately.

A VAT refund (minus administrative tax, that is, no more than 14.5%) is possible when purchasing in one Tax-free store (there must be an announcement of Global Refund Tax Free Shopping at the entrance) for an amount exceeding 154.94 euros (meaning amount before tax, while receipts issued indicate the amount plus tax). When purchasing, you must present your passport and list the goods individually on a special receipt or check (issued by the store, which indicates, in addition to the list of goods, its address and account number), indicating the price and amount of tax. Receipts (valid for three months after the date of purchase) are attached to the goods at customs upon departure, where they are stamped with a special stamp.

Most often, the refund itself is carried out in a separate window with the announcement of the Global Refund Office, Cash Refund Office or Tax-free Refund at the airport or at another border crossing point. The VAT refund procedure is quite lengthy, so it is necessary to allow some time for it.

Officially, all purchased goods must be in their packaging at the time of issuing a VAT refund, but in practice this requirement is hardly observed. VAT is not refundable on books, food, tobacco products and services.

The official currency of Italy since 2002 is the euro. When crossing the border, amounts over €10,000 in cash must be declared, otherwise you face a fine (from €300). If you have currency (euro) cards from UniCredit Bank or Banca Intesa, then this makes life very much easier in Italy: there, branches of these banks, and even more so ATMs, are found at every step.

What currency to take with you to Italy

Those who did not have time to buy euros at home can do so at the airport of arrival. But, firstly, you need to understand that it is extremely difficult to change rubles in Italy; you need to stock up on dollars or pounds for this case. Secondly, the exchange rate at airports (as well as in hotels) is much less favorable than at banks. Therefore, if you arrive on a weekend or holiday, when the banks are closed, you should only change very a small amount and wait until Monday.

Currency exchange

Banks are open on weekdays from 8:30 to 16 hours with an hour break for lunch. At the cash desk or at the exchange office, do not forget to check the size of the commission. It can reach 10%, and at airports - even 12%. You can exchange no more than 500 euros at a time. A passport is required.

In large cities in Italy, automatic money exchange terminals are already quite common. But in the country as a whole, this is still a new thing. And yet even in small populated areas There are always enough ATMs (they are easily identified by the Bancomat sign) where you can withdraw the amount you need minus the commission of your bank and the bank that owns this ATM. This is where Unicredit or Intesa cards come in handy. Or, for example, Tinkoff card with interest-free withdrawal from any ATM.

Cashless payments

You can pay with a card in Rome, Milan, Venice, Verona, Naples, Rimini and other tourist centers almost everywhere. On the doors of cafes, restaurants and shops you will find stickers with a list of accepted cards (usually VISA, Master card, American Express, Diners Club) or the inscription “Carta - si”. However, at gas stations, in public transport or in souvenir shops you have to pay in cash much more often. However, in Italy it is prohibited to pay for purchases over $1,000 in cash, and transferring from hand to hand amounts of more than 12,000 euros is considered a criminal offense.

Tricks

If you haven’t yet made a trip itinerary for Italy, then a handful of change in your pocket can easily help with this. Italian coins are a great guide. And besides, it was verified by the Italians themselves: the images for minting were chosen through voting by viewers of one of the leading TV channels (RAI).

The 1 eurocent coin depicts the castle of Castel del Monte in Apulia. Based on his model, the Library was constructed in the film “The Name of the Rose,” based on the novel of the same name by Umberto Eco, the most famous among living Italian writers. The castle is also recognized as a World Heritage Site cultural heritage UNESCO.

2 euro cents represent the Mole Antonelliana tower in Turin. This is one of the symbols of the city, once (until 2011) the tallest building in Italy and still the tallest brick building in Europe. 5 euro cents - Roman Colosseum.

10 euro cents - “The Birth of Venus” by Botticelli. The painting is in the collection of the Uffizi Gallery, Florence.

50 Eurocents is the only bronze equestrian statue that has survived from ancient times. It is located in the Capitoline Square in Rome and depicts Emperor Marcus Aurelius. The base for the sculpture was made by Michelangelo himself.

1 euro - “Vitruvian Man” by Leonardo da Vinci. The drawing is in the Accademia Gallery, Venice.

The 20-cent coin is not included in the list because the sculpture it depicts, Unique Forms of Continuity in Space by Umberto Boccioni, cannot be seen in Italy: it is located at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

There are practically no countries in the world where some kind of money is not used. Of course, in our dynamic times, paper currency is already beginning to rapidly transform into electronic units. However, in the overwhelming majority of payments for goods or services are still carried out in “live” banknotes. In this article we will take a closer look at what the Italian currency is called today, and also study its well-known predecessor in the world.

Modernity

Many travelers, planning their holidays in advance, often wonder what currency is in circulation in Italy. Here the answer will be simple and unambiguous - it is the euro. These banknotes were introduced in 2002. The denomination of banknotes is as follows: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500. Tourists can exchange money in banks, at the post office or in a special automated machine. It should be borne in mind that the most favorable rate will be at a banking institution.

Brief historical information

Before the introduction of the euro, the lira was used in Italy. This currency is one of the oldest monetary units in all of Europe, and even in the world. It began to be used in the period 780-790 thanks to the reform of the then emperor named Charlemagne. At that moment, Roman gold solidi were replaced by silver Carolingian denarii. One such denarius consisted of 1.76 grams of 95-grade silver. In appearance, it was a minted coin, which was uniform throughout the entire territory of the great empire. It is also worth noting that the term “solid”, equal to 12 denarii, and “lira,” equal to 240 denarii or 20 solidi, were used as counting units (but not coins). However, neither the lira nor the solidus were produced as real coins. As for the word lyre itself, it comes from the Latin language and means a pound, which corresponded to approximately 410 grams. By the way, the first lyre, made in the form of a coin, was given to the world by the magnificent and unforgettable Venice.

Unity

In 1861, the Italian state became unified and unitary and came under full control of the Savoy dynasty. On that moment National currency Italy - the lira - began to be minted in a single format for the entire kingdom. A moment was issued in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 50 centesimo, 1, 2, 5 lire in silver. Gold lire coins came in denominations of 10 and 20.

On August 24, 1862, an order was issued that stated that all coins of the Italian territories were to be replaced with a lira containing 0.29 grams of gold or 4.5 grams of silver. Somewhat later, coins in denominations of 10 centesimo, issued from copper, 20 centesimo (silver, and later an alloy of nickel and copper), 5, 50,100 lire from gold, came into use.

After the end of the First World War, 50 centesimo coins, as well as 1 and 2 lira coins, began to be produced from nickel. The same money, but already during the Second World War, was made from stainless steel. Lires were made from silver in denominations of 5, 10, 20.

Occupiers' money

In the period 1943-1950, banknotes circulated along with the lira in Italy, the production of which was carried out in the conditions dictating at the political level in the United States of America. However, due to of the highest degree inflation in the post-war years, centesimo ceased to be issued completely, and by the time the euro was introduced, the currency of Italy had the smallest denomination, equal to 5 lire. The largest coin was the 1000 lira coin.

Latest bills

Shortly before Italy's transition to the euro stable circulation area, the following were used as lira banknotes:

• 5,000 Lit. This money featured V. Bellini on the obverse. The reverse was decorated with a scene from an opera called “Norma”.
• 10,000 Lit. This banknote on the obverse was crowned with a portrait of A. Volta, and on the reverse there was a bright and colorful image of Volta’s tomb.
• 50,000 Lit. The creators of this bill depicted L. Bernini on the obverse near the Triton fountain, while the reverse was decorated with an equestrian statue of Emperor Constantine.
• 1,000 Lit. The obverse contains a portrait of Montessori, the reverse - the painting “Children in the Classroom”.
• 2,000 Lit. The note is printed with a portrait of Marconi on the obverse and an image of a wireless telegraph receiver, radio antenna and the Electra ship on the reverse.
• 100,000 Lit. The reverse is a painting by Caravaggio, the obverse is an image of Caravaggio himself.
• 500,000 Lit. On the obverse of the banknote you can see the artist Raphael and his fresco “The Triumph of Galatea”. “The School of Athens” is printed on the reverse.

Withdrawal from circulation

On the first day of January 2002 in the Italian state the main monetary unit became the euro. At the same time, the old currency of Italy, the exchange rate of which was 1936.27 to 1 euro, was in use even before March 2003 on the basis of an order of the country's government. However, even after the end of this period, another ten years central bank Italy continued to exchange the lira, which had already completely gone out of circulation, into the euro, which in no way had a negative impact on the country’s economy.

Shortly before its final and irrevocable disappearance from the world foreign exchange market The lira, Italy's pre-euro currency, has once again been embodied in silver. This happened thanks to the release of an anniversary series called “The History of the Lyre,” which was produced in the period 1999-2001. This set looks most striking in the format of a gift set, which includes six coins created on the basis of 835 silver. Each of the coins features an image of a currency at a different time.

After the Italian currency was changed to the euro, a real chain reaction occurred, which was that the departure of the lira from circulation led to the disappearance of other currencies tied to it. Among them was the lira of the small but proud state of San Marino. The birth of the lira in this tiny republic dates back to the very distant year 1898. And in 1979, the country produced an impressive line of coins in denominations from 1 to 500 lire, which were very similar to their Italian counterparts. The lira with a face value of 1000 was released already in 1997, when the final introduction of the euro into circulation was planned.

It is noteworthy that even the influential and independent Vatican was influenced quite seriously by Italy. The currency of the country of pasta lovers has long been the official currency of the Papal States. However, in 1929, the Catholic center of our entire world received the right to mint its own money, which also became known as the lira. But, as practice has shown, coins minted directly by the Vatican itself were extremely rare. And therefore this money became the subject of a real hunt among numismatists.

As for modern times, today's currency of Italy is recognized by European experts as one of the most beautiful on the continent of the Old World. It is also worth noting another interesting fact: the appearance reverse side Italian euro coins were chosen for a reason, but on the basis of a special vote of television viewers on the RAI channel. Five eurocents of Italy depict the Colosseum, 10 eurocents depict Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus”, and one euro depicts Leonardo da Vinci’s creation called “Harmonious Man”.

It is noteworthy that the lira, the currency of Italy, used long before the euro, was subject to exchange in the Soviet Union as of 1973. The exchange rate at that time was as follows: 1000 liras cost 1 ruble 23 kopecks. Moreover, every year the ratio of this pair of currencies leaned in favor of Soviet money.

Well

Today, the Italian currency exchange rate - the euro - has the following ratio to the currencies of other countries:

• 1 EUR = 1.12 US dollars.
• 1 EUR = 63.88 Russian rubles.
• 1 EUR = 0.87 British pounds.
• 1 EUR = 1.08 Swiss francs.
• 1 EUR = 29.62 Ukrainian hryvnia.

Subtleties of exchange operations

Remember that the main currency in Italy for tourists is exclusively the euro. At the same time, you can exchange money in any bank in the country, but it is worth pointing out that the exchange is easier and faster to carry out in large banking institutions big cities. In small banks, this is somewhat more difficult to do: first you need to open a special account, put your money into it, and only a week later you will receive local currency in your hands. At the same time, for the exchange you will definitely need a passport, and maximum amount a one-time exchange should not exceed the equivalent of $500, otherwise the transaction will simply not be allowed to proceed.