World Sites in the Balkans Trivia Quiz

Answer: Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Tunnel of Hope aka Tunnel of Salvation was built between March and June 1993 in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The tunnel was built during the Bosnian War from 1992 to 1996, when Sarajevo was under siege, cut off by the Army of Republika Srpska (Bosnian Serb Army).

The average height of the tunnel is about 1.6 m, about 840 m long, linking Dobrinja and Butmir. The tunnel was used to supply food, war supplies and humanitarian aid into the city, and allowing people to get out. The tunnel became a way to bypass the international arms embargo to provide the city defenders with weapons.

Answer: Shallow

Plitvice was first mentioned in 1777 in a written document by Dominik Vukasovic, the priest of Otacac. "Plitvice" derived from the Croatian word plitvak or plicina, plitko which means "shallow, which are shallow basins filled with water.

It is the oldest and largest national park (297 sq. km), consisting of 16 lakes separated by natural travertine dams, which are formed by the accumulation of moss, algae and bacteria. The lakes are known for vibrant colors in blue, green, grey or azure. It was designated as the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979.

Answer: Zadar

Basic used hydraulics, an engineering method pioneered by the ancient Greek that used water to push air through tuned pipes for the construction of The Sea Organ. Opened on 15 April 2005 in Zadar, the Sea Organ consists of a series of underwater pipes and channels that are integrated into a set of steps, descending into the Adriatic Sea.

The moment of the waves in and out of the pipes to create a symphony. The sound produced is not the same every time.

Answer: Olm

Postojna Cave was officially opened to the public on August 17,1819. It is one of the world's most visited caves. The cave is equipped with a double-track railway where visitors can experience thrilling train rides to explore the extraordinary beautiful underground landscape. About 5.3 km of the cave system are opened to the public.

In 2020, after it reopened following COVID-19, the site introduced the world's first public exhibit of juvenile olms aka "baby dragons". The site also houses the world's first underground post office, opened in 1899.

Answer: Split

Built under the Roman Emperor Diocletian in 305 AD, the complex is not just a standalone ruin, it forms the living, breathing heart of Split's old town. Shops, homes, and cafes are built directly into the original Roman stone structures and subterranean cellars.

There are historic gates named after metals: the Golden Gate (north), Silver Gate (east), Iron Gate (west), and Bronze Gate (south, facing the sea).

The Peristyle is the monumental central square of the palace, serving as the main open-air theatre in Split. Cathedral of St. Domnius is one of the oldest Christian cathedral structures in the world in the complex.

Answer: Diving

Literally meaning "Old Bridge", the bridge was built during the 16th century by the Ottoman Empire. It arches Neretva River in the historic city of Mostar. It was officially opened by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in 1557 and stood for 427 years until it was tragically destroyed in 1993 during the Croat-Bosniak War. It was meticulously rebuilt using traditional methods and local stone, reopening in 2004 as a powerful symbol of reconciliation and international cooperation, and is now a protected UNESCO World Heritage site.

The city is the host of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, held annually in late July. There are two distinct diving styles ikarija (a head-first swan dive) and stanga (feet-first plunges). The diving is performed directly from the stone bridge which a towering platform is erected above the bridge structure. The heights are 21 m for women and 27 m for men.

Answer: Kotor

The Bay of Kotor is a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its dramatic, near-vertical limestone cliffs that plunge directly into turquoise waters, flanked by medieval stone town. The butterfly-shaped gulf is surrounded by the Dinaric Alps, featuring winding shorelines, historic architecture, and deep maritime roots. Often described as Europe's southernmost fjord, it is actually a submerged river canyon along the winding bay on the Adriatic Sea.

Located at the deepest corner of the bay, Kotor Old Town is a fortified medieval town, which is an intricate maze of cobblestone streets, hidden piazzas, and historic churches. Above the town, an ancient fortification wall climbs aggressively up the steep mountainside.

Perast is a tiny, idyllic, Baroque-era town built by wealthy sailors, that sits on the edge of the bay facing the narrow Verige strait. Our Lady of the Rocks is a famous artificial island right off the coast of Perast.

Answer: Lake Bled

The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (also known as the Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption) is a world-famous Roman Catholic church located in the middle of Lake Bled, Slovenia. This iconic, fairy-tale church dates back in its current Baroque form to the late 17th century. There are 99 steps that lead up to the building (where local wedding tradition dictates the groom must carry his bride up all 99 steps) and its legendary "wishing bell" inside the nave, which visitors ring for good luck.

Lake Bled is a relatively small, compact alpine lake with a total surface area of 1.45 sq km (0.56 sq ml). It is famous for its mild thermal springs that keep the emerald-green water comfortable for swimming in the summer.

Lake Bohinj is the largest permanent natural lake in Slovenia, nestled deep within the stunning Triglav National Park in the Julian Alps. It is located in a short distance from Lake Bled.

Answer: St. Mark

St. Mark's Church in Zagreb is famous for its vibrant, multi-coloured tiled roof, this 13th-century masterpiece stands in the middle of St. Mark's Square in the capital's historic Upper Town. The roof displays the medieval coat of arms of Croatia, Dalmatia, and Slavonia on the left, and the emblem of Zagreb on the right.

Answer: Croatia

Before the bridge was built, the southernmost region of Croatia including the world-famous tourist hub of Dubrovnik was a semi-exclave completely cut off from the rest of the mainland. The bridge spans across the Bay of Mali Ston, connecting the northern mainland at Komarna directly to the scenic Peljesac Peninsula, allowing travelers to stay entirely within Croatian territory and shave hours off their travel time

In the past, travelers had to drive down the Adriatic coast were forced to exit Croatia, pass through the Neum Corridor (a narrow 9-km strip of coastline belonging to Bosnia and Herzegovina), undergo border customs, and then re-enter Croatia.