Copenhagen’s Little Mermaid statue is one of the most recognizable monuments in northern Europe, drawing millions of visitors to the harbor. Despite its small size, this bronze figure has a surprisingly dramatic history.
This quiz looks at the creation of the statue, the real people who modeled for it, and the many bizarre incidents of vandalism it has survived over the decades.
Once you finish, why not explore more about sculpture trivia, learn about other famous landmarks, or test yourself on world cities?
In which Danish city can you find the famous Little Mermaid statue?
Copenhagen
Copenhagen
Aarhus
Aarhus
Odense
Odense
Aalborg
Aalborg
The Little Mermaid statue is based on a fairy tale written by which famous author?
Jens Peter Jacobsen
Jens Peter Jacobsen
Søren Kierkegaard
Søren Kierkegaard
Hans Christian Andersen
Hans Christian Andersen
Karen Blixen
Karen Blixen
In what year was the Little Mermaid statue officially unveiled?
1913
1913
1903
1903
1933
1933
1923
1923
The statue was commissioned by Carl Jacobsen, the son of the founder of which famous brewery?
Guinness
Guinness
Carlsberg
Carlsberg
Heineken
Heineken
Tuborg
Tuborg
What material was used to cast the Little Mermaid statue?
Granite
Granite
Marble
Marble
Bronze
Bronze
Copper
Copper
Who was the sculptor responsible for creating the Little Mermaid statue?
Asger Jorn
Asger Jorn
Bjørn Nørgaard
Bjørn Nørgaard
Edvard Eriksen
Edvard Eriksen
Bertel Thorvaldsen
Bertel Thorvaldsen
Which famous ballerina served as the physical model for the statue’s face?
Ellen Price
Ellen Price
Ingrid Bergman
Ingrid Bergman
Greta Garbo
Greta Garbo
Astrid Lindgren
Astrid Lindgren
Why did ballerina Ellen Price decline to pose for the body of the Little Mermaid statue?
She had a disagreement with the sculptor over payment
She had a disagreement with the sculptor over payment
She did not want to pose in the nude
She did not want to pose in the nude
She was too busy with her theater schedule
She was too busy with her theater schedule
She was not satisfied with the clay sketch
She was not satisfied with the clay sketch
Approximately how tall is the Little Mermaid statue?
1.25 meters
1.25 meters
1.35 meters
1.35 meters
1.45 meters
1.45 meters
1.55 meters
1.55 meters
The Little Mermaid statue is located along which famous waterfront promenade in Copenhagen?
Tivoli Gardens
Tivoli Gardens
Amalienborg Palace square
Amalienborg Palace square
Nyhavn Quay
Nyhavn Quay
Langelinie Promenade
Langelinie Promenade
What is the approximate weight of the bronze Little Mermaid statue?
225 kg
225 kg
250 kg
250 kg
175 kg
175 kg
200 kg
200 kg
In 1964, what was the first major act of vandalism committed against the statue?
The head was sawn off
The head was sawn off
The statue was painted red
The statue was painted red
The right arm was cut off
The right arm was cut off
The statue was knocked off its base
The statue was knocked off its base
In which year was the statue’s right arm first sawed off by vandals?
1986
1986
1980
1980
1982
1982
1984
1984
What was the fate of the statue’s head after it was sawn off in 1964?
It was recovered from a television station
It was recovered from a television station
It was never recovered
It was never recovered
It was returned anonymously days later
It was returned anonymously days later
It was found in a nearby canal
It was found in a nearby canal
What did artist Jørgen Nash claim was his motive for the 1964 decapitation of the statue?
A dare by fellow art students
A dare by fellow art students
A desire to sell the bronze for scrap
A desire to sell the bronze for scrap
Protest against industrialization
Protest against industrialization
Frustration over his love life
Frustration over his love life
In which year did the statue have its head stolen for a second time?
1994
1994
1996
1996
1998
1998
2000
2000
What was the rumored political motivation behind the 2003 explosive attack on the statue?
To protest the construction of a new harbor bridge
To protest the construction of a new harbor bridge
To protest Denmark’s involvement in the Iraq War
To protest Denmark’s involvement in the Iraq War
To protest the royal family’s spending
To protest the royal family’s spending
To protest the whaling industry
To protest the whaling industry
In which year did heavy ice packs in the harbor cause the statue to be overturned?
1963
1963
1959
1959
1955
1955
1951
1951
In which year did the statue leave Copenhagen for the first time in history to be displayed at the Shanghai Expo?
2008
2008
2012
2012
2010
2010
2006
2006
Why was the statue temporarily moved from its harbor rock in 2010?
To represent Denmark at the World Expo
To represent Denmark at the World Expo
To save it from rising sea levels
To save it from rising sea levels
To attract visitors to a new museum exhibit
To attract visitors to a new museum exhibit
Because the rock pedestal needed urgent repairs
Because the rock pedestal needed urgent repairs
Which statement best describes the Little Mermaid’s status as a tourist attraction?
It is the largest bronze statue in Copenhagen
It is the largest bronze statue in Copenhagen
It is one of Denmark’s most visited outdoor monuments
It is one of Denmark’s most visited outdoor monuments
It is the most visited tourist attraction in all of Europe
It is the most visited tourist attraction in all of Europe
It is located inside the Tivoli Gardens amusement park
It is located inside the Tivoli Gardens amusement park
While Ellen Price modeled for the face, who actually posed for the statue’s body?
The sculptor’s daughter, Agnete Eriksen
The sculptor’s daughter, Agnete Eriksen
The sculptor’s wife, Eline Eriksen
The sculptor’s wife, Eline Eriksen
A professional model from Copenhagen Royal Theater
A professional model from Copenhagen Royal Theater
A local fisherwoman found working by the harbor
A local fisherwoman found working by the harbor
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