Europe: All about Albania Trivia Quiz

Answer: Adriatic and Ionian

Albania has the Adriatic Sea to the west, and the Ionian Sea to the south-west.

Because of Albania's location on both of these seas, over the centuries it has suffered numerous invasions, and endured the conquests of various empires and nations. From the Romans, the Byzantine Empire, the Serbian Empire, to the Huns, the Visigoths, the Slavs and the Bulgars, Albania has suffered many an invasion by sea in its history. In the 15th century, Albania was finally completely invaded and conquered by the Ottoman Empire, shielding the country from influence and contact from the West, for over 400 years.

Answer: Dajti

Tirana is located in the centre of Albania, with Dajti situated on the city's east.

Dajti is part of the Skanderbeg mountain range, and stands at approximately 5,300 feet high.

Answer: Pogradec

Lake Ohrid is one of the oldest and deepest lakes in Europe, with over 200 species being endemic to it, and North Macedonia's half being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. Lake Ohrid has three cities standing on its shores, two of which are in North Macedonia: Ohrid and Struga. The Albanian city on Lake Ohrid is Pogradec.

Pogradec is located on the south-west of Lake Ohrid. Albanian Communist leader Enver Hoxha was particularly fond of Pogradec as a holiday destination.

Answer: Lake Skadar

Lake Skadar is the largest lake within Southern Europe. It is named after the Albanian city of Shkodėr, in Northern Albania. Lake Skadar is a karst lake, which means that the lake was formed by the collapse of caves.

On the Montenegro side of the lake is Beska island, a very small island which is home to Beska Monastery, a Serbian Orthodox Monastery with two churches inside.

The well-preserved wreck of the Skanderbeg steamboat, which was sunk in 1942, is located in Lake Skadar, and is visible when the lake waters are low.

Answer: Durrės

Although Durrės is the smallest county of Albania, it is one of the most densely populated in the country. The capital city of the same name, Durrės, is one of the most busy cities on the Adriatic Sea.

Durrės Archaeological Museum is in the city of Durrės, and is the largest archaeological museum in Albania. This building was damaged in 1997, during the Albanian Civil War, where artefacts were also stolen.

The most popular attraction of the city, however, is the Amphitheatre of Durrės. Despite being destroyed twice in earthquakes, it remains a national landmark and is the largest amphitheatre to ever stand on the Balkan Peninsula. Sadly, the mosaics and paintings are suffering from decay and erosion, however the impressive landmark, once boasting a 20,000 person capacity when it was being used as an amphitheatre, (as opposed to being currently used as a museum) remains highly visited by tourists.

Answer: Sarandė

Sarandė or Saranda is located by the Ionian sea, and is known as one of the centres for the Greek minority in Albania, as well as the city of Gjirokastėr. Its location on the coast, and Mediterranean weather, has made Sarandė expanding in both tourism and economy, since communism came to an end in the country.

Answer: Beach

Located on the Ionian sea, at just over four miles long, Borsch Beach is Albania's longest unbroken stretch of coastline. The beach is in very good condition, clean sand and clear water, despite its popularity as a nature spot for tourists.

There is a village of the same name on this coast, Borsh village, and above this village is Borsh Castle,which was built around the 4th century BC. In around the 17th - 18th century the Hajji Bendo Mosque was added to the castle, under the reign of Ottoman Albanian ruler, Ali Pasha.

Answer: Gjirokastėr Fortress

Gjirokastėr Fortress or Gjirokastėr Castle is located at a height of 1,100 feet, above the Albanian city of Gjirokastėr. The castle now features a museum, dedicated to military artefacts from when the Communists fought the German occupation. The museum even has a United States Air Force airplane, to honor the Communist resistance against the West.

King Zog I of Albania often used the prison of Gjirokastėr Fortress for political prisoners.

Princess Argjiro is a legendary character in both Albanian and Greek mythology. She is said to have lived in the 15th century, and the tragic tale of Princess Argjiro inspired Albanian poet, playwright and novelist Ismail Kadare to write a poem about her. He was born in Gjirokastėr.

In Greek tradition, Princess Argjiro, or Princess Argyro, was the Byzantine princess that founded the city of Gjirokastėr - however, historians and archaeologists do not believe this is the case.

Answer: Berat

Berat is the capital of Berat County. The mountain of Tomorr is to the east of Berat, and is a holy mountain traditionally to Albanians. Pilgrimages to this holy mountain happen in the second half of August, every year. Christians and Muslims make the pilgrimage, but the mountain is also sacred to Illyrian religions that pre date both of them. In Albanian mythology, Tomor or Tomorr is the father of both gods and humans, and is thought to both be home to the gods, and a god itself, personified as an old man with a flowing white beard surrounded by four eagles.

During World War II, both Muslim and Christian families hid over 60 Jewish families in Berat. They were hidden in the homes and cellars of the citizens. A star of David can still be seen on the wall of a mosque, where the Muslim community of Berat let the Jews carry out their worship.

Answer: Montenegro

At approximately 8,300 feet high, Zla Kolata is the 16th highest mountain in Albania, but is the highest mountain in Montenegro. It is located on the border in Kukės County, northeastern Albania, and Gusinje Municipality of Montenegro.