Ten European Cities Await Discovery Quiz

Answer: Athens

The hidden city is Athens (Samanth A THEN S tarted). Greece's largest city and capital of the country since 1834 has expanded by leaps and bounds in terms of population. From an estimated population of 1,783,000 in 1950 leapt to 2,246,000 people in 1960 grown to 3,116,000 by 2000 and reached 3,130,000 in 2015.

The percentage growth from 1950 to 2015 was a staggering 75.9%. Athens started as a small settlement on the hill where the Acropolis now stands about 3000 BC. Other small settlements were built around the hill and all of them were united, according to legend, by Theseus to form the city of Athens.

The city was dedicated to the goddess Athena from whom the city was named.

Answer: Marseille

Marseille is a port on the Mediterranean coast of France. It is the country's second largest city and has a history that goes back to 600 BC. The city was established by Phocaeans and was called Massalia. Phocaea was a Greek city in Ionia, Asia Minor. The port of the city is built in a natural harbour that is sheltered by hills.

Answer: Geneva

Geneva became part of Switzerland in 1815. The city became an independent diocese towards the end of the 13th century and is closely connected with John Calvin and the Reformation. Geneva is the European headquarters of the United Nations Organisation.

It is also home to various international organisations such as the Red Cross, World Trade Organisation, World Economic Forum and UN agencies such as World Health Organisation, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Geneva is famed for its finance sector especially private banking.

Answer: Warsaw

According to legend Warsaw owes its name to a couple called Wars and Sawa and due to the hospitality shown towards a prince they were granted the right to own the land forever. First inhabited in the 11th century, the city started developing when a castle was built there in the 13th century. In 1596 the city became the unofficial capital of Poland.

(The words 'in reverse' in the clue tell you to read 'was raw' backwards to reach the answer.)

Answer: Bologna

Bologna is the largest city of the Emilia-Romagna Region in Northern Italy. The city is the site of the old Etruscan city of Felsina. The city was occupied by the Boii, a Gallic tribe, then by the Romans, followed by the Greek bishops of Ravenna. It was subjugated by a succession of raiding forces such as the Huns, Goths and the Lombards.

Answer: Sofia

Sofia became capital of Bulgaria in 1879. There are indications that the area was inhabited 7000 years ago and there are remains of the Thracian and Roman habitation of the city. Most of the oldest buildings of the city are dated early 20th century as Sofia was just a glorified market town when it became capital of the country. Sofia was originally known as Serdika then became Triaditsa, changed its name to Sredets and finally became Sofia from the church of St Sofia.

The word Sofia means wisdom in Greek.

Answer: Antwerp

Although the city is situated 88 kilometres away from the sea Antwerp is one of largest ports of the world. The city is located on the river Schelde and it's the unofficial capital of Flanders. The old city of Antwerp boasts many medieval buildings including the Cathedral of Our Lady.

Answer: Lyon

The hidden city is LYON (monopo LY ON goods). Lyon is the capital of the Rhône-Alpes department of France. The Romans built a military post here and named it Lugdunum in 43 BC. The city became later the capital of the Gauls. The rivers Rhone and Saone run through the city and greatly influence the climate which is very humid.

Answer: Amsterdam

Amsterdam is situated in western Netherlands it is the capital of the country but not the seat of the government. The city boasts many historical buildings, art museums and a huge network of canals. The river Amstel runs through the city.

Answer: Odense

Odense is Denmark's third largest city and it is located on the island of Funen. Odense is the birthplace of the writer Hans Christian Andersen and composer Carl Nielsen. The city is named after the Norse god Odin and it is the official bicycle city of Denmark.