Whose signature is on the banknotes?

Euro banknotes bear the signature of Willem F. Duisenberg, the first President of the European Central Bank, or of Jean-Claude Trichet, who succeeded him on 1 November 2003. Banknotes with one signature or the other are equally valid.

Who designed the banknotes?

An Austrian artist, Robert Kalina. His designs are based on the theme "Ages and styles of Europe". They represent the architectural styles of seven periods in Europe's cultural history: the Classical period is depicted on the €5 banknote, the Romanesque period on the €10, the Gothic period on the €20, the Renaissance on the €50 and baroque and rococo on the €100, while the age of iron and glass architecture appears on the €200 banknote and modern 20th century architecture on the €500. Windows and gateways are the main features on the front of the banknotes, and bridges on the back. The illustrations are of typical examples of architecture of each period rather than of particular buildings.  

Why is the word EURO written in both Greek and Latin letters?

The name of the currency appears in both Latin (EURO) and Greek letters (EYPΩ) because both alphabets are used in the European Union.

Why are the banknotes easy to use for blind and partially sighted people?

They are very user-friendly for blind and partially sighted people for various reasons. Each of the seven banknote denominations has a different size. The large, highly legible numbers (i.e. the value numerals) on the front of the banknotes are raised slightly above the surface of the paper and can be identified by touch. Tactile marks are included on the bottom edge of the €200 banknote and on the right-hand edge of the €500. Each banknote has its own predominant colour (e.g. blue for the €20). Strongly contrasting colours have been chosen for 'neigbouring' denominations (e.g. red for the €10 banknote, blue for the €20).
The European Blind Union was consulted from the start of the design phase of the banknotes (1995).

 

Do the bridges on the back of the banknotes actually exist?

No, they don't - they merely exemplify an architectural style or a period in European history. If a real bridge were to be shown, then that particular banknote would be associated with the country where the bridge is located. Bridges like those in the illustrations exist in many parts of Europe. The windows and gateways shown on the banknotes are also stylised illustrations.