I Recommend a Trip to Poland Trivia Quiz

Answer: Mermaid

There are numerous myths which try to explain the adoption of the mermaid as a symbol for the city. A popular one states that the mermaid was swimming by the city when she stopped for a break and developed a liking for the place. The fishermen who heard her sing fell so much in love with her voice that when a rich man tried to trap her, they rescued her, earning her protection for the city.

The statue of the mermaid seen in the accompanying photograph is found in the Old Town of Warsaw. There are other statues and carvings of a mermaid found in various parts of the city.

Answer: Warsaw Uprising

The Warsaw Uprising was launched on the 1st of August, 1944 by the members of the Polish resistance movement. Since by this time most of the able bodied men of the country were already part of the army and fighting in different parts, the Uprising was fought largely by women and children.

The Uprising had been planned to coincide with the approach of the Soviet Army so that the Germans would be busy fending off the Red Army and consequently be weakened back at Warsaw. However, the Red Army's advance was cut short allowing the Germans to focus on the Uprising instead.

The Uprising was crushed within two months and most of the historic Old Town was destroyed by the Germans. The statue of the Little Insurgent commemorates that little children who gave up their lives to fight for their city.

It was unveiled by Professor Jerzy Oewiderski, a cardiologist who had worked as a courier boy for the resistance.

Answer: True

Sigismund III Vasa was the king of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and also managed to forge an alliance with Sweden creating a Polish-Sweden union for a short while. Sigismund's Column was erected in 1644 by Sigismund's son and successor, King Władysław IV Vasa.

There is a statue of King Sigismund III Vasa at the top of the column. The column was destroyed by the Germans along with most of Warsaw's Old Town after the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. Castle Square is a historic square found in front of the Royal Castle which was the residence of the former Polish monarchs.

Answer: Breslau

At different times in its history, Wroclaw was part of the Bohemian, Austrian and Hungarian kingdoms. In 1741, Frederick the Great II brought most parts of the Lower Silesian region under Prussian rule and named the city as Breslau. It continued to be under German rule for the next 200 years until the border lines of parts of Europe were redrawn at the end of World War II. With Poland ceding Lwow (now known as Lviv) to Ukraine and Wilno (now Vilnius) to Lithuania, the Allies gave Breslau to Poland.

The city was renamed as Wroclaw and Polish natives from Lwow, Wilno, and also places like Warsaw moved here to repopulate the city after the remaining German residents were asked to leave.

Answer: Odra

The city was built over 12 islands and while the exact number is not known, it is estimated that it has over 120 bridges. This has led to comparisons with the Italian city of Venice. The oldest part of Wroclaw - Ostrow Tumski was originally an island called Cathedral Island after the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist which is located on it.

Wroclaw is one of the rare cities that employed a lamplighter even in the 2nd millennium. At sunset, those visiting Ostrow Tumski are treated to the sight of a lamplighter in antique costume going around lighting the lamps in the surrounding area, though with a butane cartridge.

Answer: Dwarfs

The dwarfs were originally installed to commemorate the Orange Alternative movement - an underground protest movement of the 1980s against the communist regime of the time. The protest was undertaken in a peaceful manner with comic elements being used to poke fun at the government.

In 2001, the first dwarf was installed at Oewidnicka Street in Wroclaw to commemorate this movement. Since then many more figurines have come up at different spots engaged in various regular activities ranging from withdrawing money from an ATM to eating an ice cream.

Answer: Yes

Krakow is located on the Vistula River and is believed to date back to the 7th century. At different points in history, it has also served as the capital of various kingdoms. In 1978, UNESCO added the entire Old Town of the city to its list of World Heritage sites.

Answer: John Paul II

The election of Karol Wojtyla as Pope was a momentous occasion as it marked the papacy of the first Slavic pope. In addition, it was the first time after 455 years that the Leader of the Roman Catholic church was chosen from outside Italy.

Born in the Polish town of Wadowice, Wojtyla moved to the city of Krakow in the 1930s and studied at the Jagiellonian University. He began to study for the priesthood in 1942 after losing his father, having already lost his mother during his childhood. In 1946 he was ordained a priest.

Answer: Wawel

Wawel Castle was built by Casimir III the Great, the last king of Poland from the Piast dynasty who reigned from 1333 to 1370. The architectural complex also houses the Wawel Cathedral. The cathedral was the place of coronation for the kings of Poland and also served as the burial place for the members of the royalty.

Answer: Oskar Schindler

Oskar Schindler was a German industrialist and member of the Nazi Party. He employed several Jews from the ghettos of Krakow to work in his enamel and ammunition factory. He used his contacts and money to prevent his workers from being deported to the nearby concentration camps where they would've been put to death. The factory has now been converted into a museum.