Colourful South Philadelphia, known for its Italian and Irish communities, is one of the most culturally diverse neighborhoods in the city. In addition to traditional Italian restaurants, the area is known for its Vietnamese pho restaurants, Mexican taquerías and dive bars. SEPTA's Broad Street Line serves South Philadelphia and provides quick access to downtown and North Philadelphia. Among the most important places in South Philadelphia is the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, on the corner of Broad Street and Pattison Avenue.
The urbanized frontier of South Philadelphia eventually expanded to that of Philadelphia proper, or what is now known as Center City Philadelphia. Indigenous youth from Mexico created pieces of the mural, which were sent to Philadelphia and completed by young Mexican immigrants in South Philadelphia. While the large Italian immigrant community of South Philadelphia marked the neighborhood in many ways, a variety of ethnic, racial and religious groups have resided in South Philadelphia since the 17th century, making its history the history of immigration and working-class effort in Philadelphia. When Philadelphia was founded, the area now called South Philadelphia consisted of several small Indian municipalities: Moyamensing and Southwark.
However, the Italian Americans of South Philadelphia have greatly contributed to the culture of Philadelphia, establishing the Italian market, creating both the cheesy steak and the sandwich, and introducing grilled pork sandwiches, water ice cream, tomato pie and pizza to Philadelphia cuisine. African Americans have lived in South Philadelphia since at least the early 19th century, although the city of Philadelphia itself was home to a significant population of freed and fugitive slaves since at least the 18th century. I-95 travels north and south through South Philadelphia and, in this area, provides passengers with access to the Philadelphia International Airport, I-76, the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, and the Walt Whitman Bridge. Italians in South Philadelphia suffered widespread discrimination from the majority population of Philadelphia.
Famous for its Italian heritage and for appearing in Rocky, South Philly is also home to FDR Park and most of Philadelphia's top professional sports teams, including the Philadelphia Flyers, Sixers, Eagles and Phillies.
