Greek | Lingofacts

Petra, a famous archaeological site in Jordan’s southwestern desert, means “rock” in Greek, and this city lies in a small desert valley completely surrounded by towering sandstone cliffs.

Suspended Monasteries in Air

by lingofacts | Apr 25, 2017 | Travel | 0 |

The name Meteora means “suspended in air”. Monasteries were built on Meteora’s rocks centuries ago, but today only six remain.

Europe’s Oldest Currency

by lingofacts | Apr 24, 2017 | History | 0 |

Greece’s currency, the drachma, was 2,650 years old and Europe’s oldest currency. The drachma was replaced with the Euro in 2002.

Meaning of the Greek Flag

by lingofacts | Apr 21, 2017 | Language | 0 |

The Greek’s motto is “Eleftheria i Thanatos” or “Freedom or Death.” and is represented in the country’s flag. Blue represents the sea and sky, while white stands for the purity of the struggle of freedom. In the upper left-hand corner is the traditional Greek Orthodox cross.

Greek Burial Customs

by lingofacts | Apr 21, 2017 | Customs | 0 |

In Greece, the dead are always buried because the Greek Orthodox Church forbids cremation. Five years after a burial, the body is exhumed and the bones are first washed with wine and then placed in an ossuary, as part to relieve the shortage of land in Greek cemeteries.