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Quiz about Krakow  Polands Second City
Quiz about Krakow  Polands Second City

Krakow - Poland's Second City Trivia Quiz


Krakow's abundance of art and historical sites make it Poland's second most popular tourist destination. During my visit here, I was fascinated by the stories behind the city. Take this quiz to hear them for yourself.

A multiple-choice quiz by doublemm. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Author
doublemm
Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
312,862
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
8 / 10
Plays
1435
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Matilda22 (5/10), Guest 145 (2/10), Guest 93 (1/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. First of all, where is Krakow? Krakow is located in southern Poland at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains. On which river does this historic city lie? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Upon walking into the large open main square in the centre of Krakow, you are surrounded by several historical buildings. One of the most eye-catching features of the square is an attractive building at the centre. This has been a major market of international trade and is still home to traders of many goods. What is the name of this building? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Also found in the main market square of Krakow is a statue of a man often referred to as the "Polish Shakespeare". This comparison intends to show how famous and well respected this man is within Poland. To which poet is this statue dedicated? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Krakow is known for its educational history as well as its economic history. Jagiellonian University is perhaps the most famous of them all, with students including mathematician Sierpinski and Nobel Laureate Ivo Andric. Which of these men, one of the first to suggest that the Earth orbited the sun, was another former student of this university? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Another famous student at the Jagiellonian University went onto become Pope. What was this man's birth name? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. The history of Krakow has been one of invasion and destruction at the hands of numerous armies. This is seen in the huge fortifications which were built to protect the city from such attacks. Which structure, which has also been home to many early Polish kings and is currently a museum, shows these typical fortifications? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Back in the main market square of Krakow, one of the largest and most visually spectacular sites is St. Mary's Basilica. A tradition in Krakow is that every hour a trumpeter would play atop the tower to the people in the main square. What is unusual about the tune which is played? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Opposite St. Mary's Basilica in the main market square of Krakow is another church. This church is known as The Church of St. Wojciech (St. Adelbert). Can you tell me what is special about this particular church? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Which area of Krakow was founded by a king of the same name, and is now known as "the old Jewish quarter" due to its previously large Jewish population? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Krakow's "Old Town" attracts many tourists due to its abundance of museums, churches and landmarks. What is the name given to the collection of gardens and works of art which encapsulates the "Old Town"? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 25 2024 : Matilda22: 5/10
Mar 21 2024 : Guest 145: 2/10
Mar 19 2024 : Guest 93: 1/10
Mar 16 2024 : Guest 51: 3/10
Mar 14 2024 : Guest 92: 3/10
Mar 09 2024 : Guest 92: 8/10
Feb 27 2024 : Guest 94: 10/10
Feb 24 2024 : Guest 94: 5/10
Feb 24 2024 : Guest 31: 5/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. First of all, where is Krakow? Krakow is located in southern Poland at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains. On which river does this historic city lie?

Answer: The Vistula

Krakow is Poland's second largest city and was the capital of Poland from 1038 to 1596. It is also recognised as one of the most important economic centres of Poland, as many sectors of private trade began to grow in the city following the fall of communism. The Vistula River runs from West to East, cutting Krakow almost exactly in half and dividing its 18 districts.
2. Upon walking into the large open main square in the centre of Krakow, you are surrounded by several historical buildings. One of the most eye-catching features of the square is an attractive building at the centre. This has been a major market of international trade and is still home to traders of many goods. What is the name of this building?

Answer: Draper's Hall

The Sukiennice Cloth Hall (also known as Drapers' Hall) provided the people of Krakow with products from the East; such as silk and sought after spices. The market also acted as a place to sell the clothes and lead which was produced in Krakow itself.

Today the market stalls, which are positioned around the Cloth Hall, sell a variety of clothes, souvenirs, flowers and sweets. Although the hall no longer serves as a major centre of Polish industry, its well-kept appearance and historical relevance attracts many to the city. The site of the Cloth Hall at night is even more impressive than in the day as it is well lit and fits the calm mood of the city centre.
3. Also found in the main market square of Krakow is a statue of a man often referred to as the "Polish Shakespeare". This comparison intends to show how famous and well respected this man is within Poland. To which poet is this statue dedicated?

Answer: Adam Mickiewicz

Mickiewicz is highly regarded as one of the country's best writers and is classed as one of "Poland's Three Bards."

The statue of Mickiewicz is a popular meeting place for tourists and groups of friends. There are a huge range of shows and performances (e.g. break-dancing and fire juggling) which take place by the statue in order to raise money for charity and entertain visitors. The shows are so seemingly spontaneous that I found myself watching what I believed to be a staged fight, and did not realize it was serious until the police carriages came rushing in.
4. Krakow is known for its educational history as well as its economic history. Jagiellonian University is perhaps the most famous of them all, with students including mathematician Sierpinski and Nobel Laureate Ivo Andric. Which of these men, one of the first to suggest that the Earth orbited the sun, was another former student of this university?

Answer: Copernicus

A head sculpture of Copernicus can be found on the grounds.

Jagiellonian University was founded in 1364 by Casimir II the Great, making it one of Europe's oldest universities.
5. Another famous student at the Jagiellonian University went onto become Pope. What was this man's birth name?

Answer: Karol Josef Wojtyla

This man became Pope John Paul II. He was born in the nearby town of Wadowice, but moved to Krakow to study in 1938. During his time as Pope, John Paul II kept a house in Krakow and this has become a popular site to visit, especially after his death in 2005.

The university was closed by Nazi Germans in 1939 and, following the death of his father, Karol began to realise that he was destined to become a priest.
6. The history of Krakow has been one of invasion and destruction at the hands of numerous armies. This is seen in the huge fortifications which were built to protect the city from such attacks. Which structure, which has also been home to many early Polish kings and is currently a museum, shows these typical fortifications?

Answer: Wawel Castle

The defensive walls which surround Wavel Castle were built by the Austrians in the late 18th century to prevent further damage to this stronghold.

The original importance of this area (known as Wavel Hill) began as many tradesmen gathered, and trade began to flourish. The increasing prosperity of the area attracted nobles and Kings, who were to eventually make the castle their home. It is still possible to visit this grand castle as it has been made into a museum, allowing visitors to see the vast courtyard and striking architecture.

A folk tale tells us of a dragon which lived in the western slope of Wavel Hill. The story goes that the people of Krakow had to offer virgins to the beast and in return the dragon would leave the city in relative peace. Eventually, the only virgin left was the King's daughter, whom he was unwilling to sacrifice. He declared that the first man to slay the dragon would have his daughter's hand in marriage. A shoemaker (although there is significant debate over the occupation) was the hero of this tale. He fed the dragon poison, causing it to have never-ending thirst. The dragon drank and drank until it exploded. Following this, the man married the princess and they lived together in Wavel Castle. A right-wing Polish politician recently claimed that the story of the Krakow dragon was proof that man and dinosaurs once walked the Earth together.
7. Back in the main market square of Krakow, one of the largest and most visually spectacular sites is St. Mary's Basilica. A tradition in Krakow is that every hour a trumpeter would play atop the tower to the people in the main square. What is unusual about the tune which is played?

Answer: It cuts off mid-stream

The story of this bugle call (known as the heynal) is linked to the numerous attacks made on the city. The legend goes that in the 13th century (estimated 1241), the bugler at the top of the tower spotted a large army of Tartar warriors and so sounded the horn to warn the people of Krakow.

His early warning is said to have saved the city. However, he was shot in the throat by a Tartar archer and was killed in the middle of his bugle call, thus explaining the significance of the broken tune. Because the tune is played on the hour every hour it is often said that when in Krakow you need not wear a watch.
8. Opposite St. Mary's Basilica in the main market square of Krakow is another church. This church is known as The Church of St. Wojciech (St. Adelbert). Can you tell me what is special about this particular church?

Answer: It is one of Poland's oldest churches

Construction of this church is said to have began in the 10th century. It stands in Europe's largest medieval town square and outdates the square itself! It was one of the main meeting places of the city during the "golden age" of Krakow (16th century).

The church is not large at all and is even smaller inside than it appears from the outside. Nevertheless, it continues to be a place of prayer for Krakow inhabitants.
9. Which area of Krakow was founded by a king of the same name, and is now known as "the old Jewish quarter" due to its previously large Jewish population?

Answer: Kazimierz

King Kazimierz III (aka King Casimir III) is said to have built Kazimierz as a place for his lover, Esterka, to live. However, after Casimir's numerous sexual affairs with other women, Esterka eventually committed suicide.

Another king, King Jan Olbracht, decided to move all of Krakow's Jews into this city (as Kazmierz was originally a separate city) in the late 15th century. Here they lived alongside Christians peacefully for many years. Due to Nazi hostilities during World War II many of the 45,000 Jews in Kazimierz were killed and the rest fled to Israel. The city still contains several synagogues and other signs of the past Jewish presence. After much neglect following World War II, Kazimierz began its rebirth at the beginning of the 21st century. The previously poor district is now one of the liveliest areas in Krakow and accounts for much of the nightlife there.
10. Krakow's "Old Town" attracts many tourists due to its abundance of museums, churches and landmarks. What is the name given to the collection of gardens and works of art which encapsulates the "Old Town"?

Answer: Planty Park

Planty Park was brought in at the beginning of the 19th century to replace the city walls. Many monuments of famous Poles were later erected in Planty Park. These Poles included King Wladyslaw Jagiello and his wife Jadwiga, Copernicus, the painter Artur Grottger, and a few characters from the works of Polish writers, like Adam Mickiewicz or Juliusz Slowacki.

The charm of Planty Park still remains, even after the damage caused during World War II. There seems to be works of art at every turn, subtly positioned around the thirty gardens (approx) which make it up.

This seems an appropriate place to end the quiz, as many often choose to go to Planty Park and relax after a long day of site seeing.
Source: Author doublemm

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Exit10 before going online.
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