The shape of Hallgrímskirkja church was inspired by what?

Basalt columns formed by cooling lava

Reykjavík hosted the famous 1972 World Chess Championship between which two players?

Garry Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov

Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand

Reykjavik Quiz: Smoky Bay, Harpa and Hallgrímskirkja of Iceland

This Reykjavik quiz explores Reykjavík, Iceland's colorful capital, with questions on the world's northernmost capital, what the name smoky bay means, Hallgrímskirkja and its basalt-inspired design, the glass Harpa concert hall, the Sun Voyager sculpture, the 1986 summit at Höfði House, the 1972 chess match, a famous hot dog stand, Yoko Ono's Imagine Peace Tower and the first settler. Ten questions.

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🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 90 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 90s

Records
Reykjavík holds which record among the capitals of sovereign states?
Names
What does the name Reykjavík mean?
Churches
The shape of Hallgrímskirkja church was inspired by what?
Music
Harpa, Reykjavík's concert hall on the harbor, is famous for its facade of what?
Sculptures
The Sun Voyager sculpture on Reykjavík's seafront is often mistaken for a Viking ship. What does the artist say it is?
Summits
In 1986, which two leaders met at Höfði House in Reykjavík, helping to end the Cold War?
Chess
Reykjavík hosted the famous 1972 World Chess Championship between which two players?
Food
Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, a tiny stand in central Reykjavík, is famous for selling what?
Art
Which artist created the Imagine Peace Tower, a column of light on Viðey Island?
Settlers
According to Icelandic tradition, who was the first permanent settler in Reykjavík, around 874?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: Reykjavík holds which record among the capitals of sovereign states?
Answer: The northernmost
It lies at about 64 degrees north, just south of the Arctic Circle. Thanks to the Gulf Stream, its winters are milder than many expect.
Q2: What does the name Reykjavík mean?
Answer: Smoky bay
The first settlers saw steam rising from hot springs and mistook it for smoke. Geothermal water now heats almost all of the city's homes.
Q3: The shape of Hallgrímskirkja church was inspired by what?
Answer: Basalt columns formed by cooling lava
Architect Guðjón Samúelsson designed the church, which took about 41 years to build. Its tower is about 74.5 meters tall.
Q4: Harpa, Reykjavík's concert hall on the harbor, is famous for its facade of what?
Answer: Colorful glass panels
The design was created with artist Olafur Eliasson. The glass bricks reflect the sky and the sea, changing color through the day.
Q5: The Sun Voyager sculpture on Reykjavík's seafront is often mistaken for a Viking ship. What does the artist say it is?
Answer: A dreamboat, an ode to the sun
Artist Jón Gunnar Árnason wanted it to suggest the promise of new lands and freedom. It was unveiled in 1990.
Q6: In 1986, which two leaders met at Höfði House in Reykjavík, helping to end the Cold War?
Answer: Reagan and Gorbachev
The talks nearly produced a deal to get rid of nuclear weapons. Höfði House is also said to be haunted.
Q7: Reykjavík hosted the famous 1972 World Chess Championship between which two players?
Answer: Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky
Fischer's victory ended a long Soviet hold on the title. He later moved to Iceland, became a citizen and is buried near Selfoss.
Q8: Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, a tiny stand in central Reykjavík, is famous for selling what?
Answer: Hot dogs
The hot dogs are made mainly from Icelandic lamb and served with crispy onions and sweet mustard. Bill Clinton famously ate one there.
Q9: Which artist created the Imagine Peace Tower, a column of light on Viðey Island?
Answer: Yoko Ono
It was dedicated to John Lennon and is lit each year on his birthday, October 9. The light shines until December 8, the date of his death.
Q10: According to Icelandic tradition, who was the first permanent settler in Reykjavík, around 874?
Answer: Ingólfur Arnarson
Legend says he threw his high-seat pillars into the sea and settled where they washed ashore. Erik the Red later founded settlements in Greenland.

Reykjavik Quiz – The World's Northernmost Capital

Reykjavík is the capital of Iceland and the northernmost capital of a sovereign state in the world. Home to about two-thirds of Iceland's population in its wider area, it is a small, colorful city of painted houses, modern architecture, geothermal pools and creative energy. Mountains and the sea surround it.

Tradition says the first permanent settler, Ingólfur Arnarson, arrived around 874 and named the place smoky bay after the steam rising from hot springs. For centuries, Reykjavík was a small farm and fishing village. It grew in the 18th and 19th centuries and became the capital of an independent Iceland in 1944.

The city has striking landmarks. Hallgrímskirkja, inspired by basalt columns, towers over the center, and its tower gives views over the rooftops. Harpa concert hall glitters with glass on the harbor, and the Sun Voyager sculpture faces the sea. Perlan, built on hot water tanks, hosts a museum about Iceland's nature.

Reykjavík has played a role on the world stage. It hosted the famous 1972 chess match between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky and the 1986 Reagan–Gorbachev summit at Höfði House. Yoko Ono's Imagine Peace Tower shines on Viðey Island in honor of John Lennon.

Daily life includes swimming in geothermal pools, music, bookshops and food from lamb hot dogs to fresh fish.

Reykjavík is the starting point for Iceland's famous road trips. The Golden Circle route visits Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss, and in winter, tours leave the city at night to hunt for the northern lights in dark skies outside town.

This quiz covers the history, landmarks, culture and traditions of Reykjavík.

What This Quiz Teaches

This quiz is perfect for travelers, history fans and lovers of Nordic culture.

Why Reykjavík is the northernmost capital
What the name Reykjavík means
Hallgrímskirkja, Harpa and the Sun Voyager
The 1986 summit and the 1972 chess match
Iceland's famous hot dog stand
The Imagine Peace Tower and the first settler

Quick Facts About Reykjavík

Reykjavík has many public geothermal swimming pools.
In midsummer, the sun barely sets.
Laugavegur is the city's main shopping street.
Reykjavík was a UNESCO City of Literature in 2011.
Whale-watching tours leave from the old harbor.
Keflavík International Airport is about 50 kilometers away.