Test your knowledge with our new quiz about Greece
It’s time for a new quiz about Greece – the third in our series. The previous ones have been much appreciated, and now we’re back with a fresh round of ten brand-new questions.
This quiz offers a real challenge. The questions are more advanced than before and call for not only knowledge, but also curiosity and a sense of Greece beyond the obvious. We dive deep into the country’s history and the present day – from politics and culture to music, film, nature, and food.
10 fresh questions
You’ll be presented with ten multiple-choice questions, each with only one correct answer. After selecting your choice, you’ll see the right answer along with a short explanation. Once you’ve completed all ten, you’ll get a summary of your score – and perhaps a spark of inspiration for your next journey south.
Join us on another small voyage of discovery through Greece and see how much you really know about the country, its people, and its culture. You might learn something new – or simply confirm that you’re already a seasoned Greconaut!
#1. From Film to Politics Melina Mercouri became world-famous as a singer, actress, and later as Greece’s Minister of Culture. She had her international breakthrough in a film that received many awards, including honors at Cannes and the Oscars. Which film was it?
Melina Mercouri became internationally famous through the film Never on a Sunday, which won awards at both the Cannes Film Festival and the Academy Awards in 1960.
She continued her career as an actress and singer but later entered politics, becoming Greece’s Minister of Culture in the 1980s.
Mercouri was a passionate advocate for Greek culture and became a leading voice in the campaign to return the Parthenon sculptures to Athens.
#2. The Father of Democracy As the Athenian city-state emerged during the 6th century BCE, several attempts were made to limit the power of the aristocracy and give the people a voice. One reformer carried out a major political reorganization that broke the nobles’ dominance and gave citizens a more active role in governing the city. Democracy was not born overnight, but his reforms marked a decisive step toward it. Who is therefore often called the father of Athenian democracy?
Cleisthenes is regarded as the man who laid the foundations of Athenian democracy.
By reforming the existing political system and introducing principles such as equality before the law and freedom of speech, he gave citizens an active role in the governance of Athens.
He also introduced the possibility of exiling powerful figures through a popular vote – the practice known as ostracism.
His reforms limited the influence of the aristocracy and faced resistance from the oligarchs of the time, but they paved the way for a new democratic way of thinking.
#3. Greece’s national dish You’ve probably tasted your way through the Greek gastronomic spectrum – grilled skewers, casseroles, fresh salads, and slow-cooked dishes rich in olive oil and herbs. But there is one dish that has historically been regarded as the very symbol of everyday Greek cooking, often called the country’s national dish. Which one is it?
Fasolada is considered Greece’s true national dish – simple, nutritious, and deeply rooted in popular tradition.
It is prepared throughout the country with white beans, tomato, onion, carrot, celery, and plenty of olive oil, often served as an everyday meal or during fasting periods.
Dishes like moussaka and pastitsio are modern creations by the 20th-century chef Nikos Tselementes, but fasolada is regarded as genuine Greek home cooking – unpretentious, nourishing, and shared across the nation.
#4. UNESCO World Heritage List The Minoan palaces on Crete have recently been added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List. How many sites in Greece are now included on the list?
Greece today has 20 sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
The Minoan palaces on Crete were recently added, further highlighting the importance of the island’s Bronze Age civilization.
Famous examples include the Acropolis of Athens, Delphi, Mycenae, and Olympia.
The list covers both cultural and natural heritage, ranging from archaeological remains and ancient cityscapes to Byzantine monasteries, scenic landscapes, and historic environments.
#5. The instrument that carries the soul of Crete We’re looking for an instrument that also serves as a symbol of Cretan identity. It has a melancholic tone – a bit scratchy, some would say – and is used in many musical forms and dances, from mantinades to syrtos and pentozali. What is the instrument called?
The Cretan lyra is one of Greece’s most distinctive instruments and a powerful symbol of Cretan identity.
It has three strings and is played upright on the knee with a bow, often accompanied by the laouto.
The lyra’s sound is melancholic yet powerful, closely associated with dances such as syrtos and pentozali.
Musicians like Psarantonis have made its expressive voice world-famous, securing the instrument a central place in Greek folk music.
#6. The historic referendum of 1974 Why is the referendum of 1974 considered a historic moment in modern Greek history?
The 1974 referendum marked the end of the political turmoil that followed the military dictatorship.
The Greek people voted to abolish the monarchy and establish the republic as the country’s form of government.
The result confirmed the nation’s return to democracy and laid the foundation for the modern Greek state.
#7. Euphrosyne in Sweden Her name was Euphrosyne Rizo-Rangabé, daughter of a prominent Athenian family, and she is regarded as the first documented Greek woman in Sweden. She arrived in Stockholm in the 1840s and is buried at Galärvarvskyrkogården. But – who was her husband?
Euphrosyne Rizo-Rangabé came from a prominent Athenian family and is regarded as the first documented Greek woman in Sweden. She moved to Stockholm in the 1840s after marrying the Swedish engineer and railway pioneer Adolf Eugène von Rosen. Euphrosyne became part of the city’s cultural circles, and her presence in Sweden is still remembered today. She and her husband are buried together at Galärvarvskyrkogården in Stockholm.
#8. The euro is introduced in Greece The drachma had been used in various forms since antiquity and was, in modern times, Greece’s national currency for more than 150 years. At the turn of the millennium, the country joined the European Monetary Union and replaced the drachma with the euro as its official currency. In what year did this happen?
Greece joined the European Monetary Union in 2001, when the euro was introduced as the country’s official currency, replacing the drachma in financial transactions.
The drachma had been used in various forms since antiquity and was a strong symbol of the nation’s economic independence.
The following year, in 2002, euro banknotes and coins entered public circulation, and the drachma ceased to be legal tender.
#9. Winds over the Cyclades The northern summer winds can make the Cyclades quite rough for both sailors and visitors. They can blow strongly during the day for weeks at a time, affecting ferry routes and beach life alike. What are these winds called?
The meltemia are the northern summer winds that sweep across the Aegean Sea, especially around the Cyclades.
They arise during periods of high atmospheric pressure and can blow strongly during the day for weeks at a time.
The winds bring relief from the summer heat but can also make sailing difficult and sometimes halt ferry traffic between the islands.
#10. Porto Leone – The Lion Harbor For several centuries, a Greek city was known as Porto Leone, named after a stone lion that once guarded its harbor. Even during the Ottoman period, the place was called Aslan Liman – the harbor of the lion. Which city is it?
The name Porto Leone – “the harbor of the lion” – was used for several centuries to describe Piraeus, the port city of Athens.
It came from a large stone lion that once stood at the harbor entrance and served as a well-known symbol for sailors across the Mediterranean.
During the Ottoman period, the site was called Aslan Liman, meaning the same thing.
The lion statue was taken to Venice in the 17th century, where it still stands today outside the gate of the Venetian Arsenal.
Results
Congratulations – you’re truly an eminent Greconaut!
You’ve navigated through the quiz and shown impressive knowledge about Greece. We hope you’ve had fun and maybe learned something new along the way. Don’t hesitate to keep exploring our blog – more adventures await!
Well done, Greconaut!
You’ve made it through the adventure – though some questions may have been trickier than expected. Don’t worry, adventure is not about the score, but about learning! There’s always more to discover about Greece. Come back to our blog to deepen your knowledge and prepare for the next quest. More gates are waiting to be opened!
Quiz about Greece no. 3 – Epilogue
Thank you for once again testing your knowledge about Greece with us! We hope you’ve learned something new and had fun along the way. The country’s rich culture and history are always worth exploring.
We hope this quiz has inspired you to discover even more. Keep following our blog >> for new journeys beyond the usual paths and become a true Greconaut! You can also join the expedition for free through the form on our website.
Remember – there’s always more to discover and learn!
Feel free to leave a comment below with your result and tell us what you thought of the quiz.
Older quiz
Older quiz about Greece here>>