The State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg is an imperial complex with a storied past, built to showcase the immense power and taste of Russian rulers.
This quiz covers the Winter Palace’s baroque architecture, Catherine the Great’s initial acquisitions, and the museum’s famous feline security guards. Some questions are simple, while others require a deep knowledge of Russian history.
When you are done, try our quizzes about museums and galleries, read about majestic castles and palaces, or explore global historic places.
In which Russian city is the State Hermitage Museum located?
Kazan
Kazan
Sochi
Sochi
Moscow
Moscow
St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg
Which Russian monarch is credited with founding the Hermitage collection in 1764?
Catherine the Great
Catherine the Great
Peter the Great
Peter the Great
Nicholas II
Nicholas II
Elizabeth Petrovna
Elizabeth Petrovna
What is the name of the main building that forms the core of the Hermitage complex?
Catherine Palace
Catherine Palace
The Winter Palace
The Winter Palace
The Kremlin
The Kremlin
Peterhof Palace
Peterhof Palace
What animals are famously employed by the Hermitage to protect the collection from rodents?
Dogs
Dogs
Horses
Horses
Cats
Cats
Falcons
Falcons
The Winter Palace is situated on the banks of which major river?
Volga River
Volga River
Don River
Don River
Ob River
Ob River
Neva River
Neva River
What architectural style is the Winter Palace primarily known for?
Gothic
Gothic
Art Deco
Art Deco
Modernist
Modernist
Baroque
Baroque
Catherine the Great’s initial acquisition that founded the Hermitage consisted mainly of what type of art?
Statues
Statues
Engravings
Engravings
Textiles
Textiles
Oil paintings
Oil paintings
Approximately how many items are currently held in the Hermitage’s vast collection?
4 million
4 million
1 million
1 million
3 million
3 million
2 million
2 million
Who was the primary architect of the current Winter Palace building?
Giacomo Quarenghi
Giacomo Quarenghi
Bartolomeo Rastrelli
Bartolomeo Rastrelli
Auguste de Montferrand
Auguste de Montferrand
Carlo Rossi
Carlo Rossi
In which year did Catherine the Great acquire the art collection that founded the Hermitage?
1754
1754
1774
1774
1764
1764
1784
1784
The first large collection purchased by Catherine the Great (the Gotzkowsky collection) was famous for featuring which style of art?
Impressionist photography
Impressionist photography
Dutch and Flemish masters
Dutch and Flemish masters
Ancient Chinese ceramics
Ancient Chinese ceramics
Pre-Columbian gold artifacts
Pre-Columbian gold artifacts
The Hermitage cats are so official they even have what unique staff position to handle their public relations?
Curators of the departments
Curators of the departments
A press secretary
A press secretary
A designated secretary
A designated secretary
The Museum Director
The Museum Director
In what year did the storming of the Winter Palace occur during the Russian Revolution?
1915
1915
1921
1921
1917
1917
1919
1919
What famous 18th-century automaton, still in working order, is a highlight of the Hermitage collection?
Peacock Clock
Peacock Clock
Golden Elephant Automaton
Golden Elephant Automaton
Mechanical Globe
Mechanical Globe
Singing Bird Cage
Singing Bird Cage
The Hermitage is globally renowned for hosting which exceptionally rare collection of ancient nomadic jewelry?
Russian Imperial Crown Jewels
Russian Imperial Crown Jewels
Italian Renaissance painting collection
Italian Renaissance painting collection
Collection of Prehistoric artifacts
Collection of Prehistoric artifacts
Scythian gold artifacts
Scythian gold artifacts
Which Empress commissioned the construction of the present-day (fourth) Winter Palace?
Sophia Alekseyevna
Sophia Alekseyevna
Catherine I
Catherine I
Anna Ioannovna
Anna Ioannovna
Elizabeth I
Elizabeth I
What are the signature exterior colors of the Winter Palace?
Blue and silver
Blue and silver
Yellow and white
Yellow and white
Red and gold
Red and gold
Green and white
Green and white
In what year is the founding of the Hermitage officially celebrated?
1754
1754
1774
1774
1764
1764
1784
1784
What is the name of the main, grand ceremonial staircase of the Winter Palace?
The Grand Palace Staircase
The Grand Palace Staircase
The Imperial Marble Stairway
The Imperial Marble Stairway
The Throne Room Steps
The Throne Room Steps
The Jordan Staircase
The Jordan Staircase
What is the official title of the person who manages the daily care of the Hermitage cats?
Head of the Cat Department
Head of the Cat Department
Feline Curator
Feline Curator
Keeper of the Cats
Keeper of the Cats
Hermitage Press Secretary
Hermitage Press Secretary
Approximately how many rooms are contained within the Winter Palace?
1200 rooms
1200 rooms
1350 rooms
1350 rooms
1500 rooms
1500 rooms
1650 rooms
1650 rooms
In which decade did the Hermitage first open to the public as a museum?
The 1850s decade
The 1850s decade
The 1870s decade
The 1870s decade
The 1890s decade
The 1890s decade
The 1830s decade
The 1830s decade
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