Saint Basil’s Cathedral stands as one of the most recognizable structures in the world, dominating Moscow’s Red Square. This quiz focuses on its unusual history, commission, and visual evolution.
You will see questions about the legendary creators of the cathedral, its architectural layout, and how close the building came to destruction during the Soviet era.
After completing it, you can explore more about sacred architecture, check out quizzes on famous buildings, or learn about historical architects.
In which public square in Moscow is the iconic multi-colored, onion-domed Saint Basil’s Cathedral located?
Lubyanka Square
Lubyanka Square
Pushkin Square
Pushkin Square
Cathedral Square
Cathedral Square
Red Square
Red Square
Which Russian ruler commissioned the construction of the cathedral to commemorate the capture of Kazan?
Alexander II
Alexander II
Ivan the Terrible
Ivan the Terrible
Peter the Great
Peter the Great
Catherine the Great
Catherine the Great
During which century did construction on the cathedral take place?
17th century
17th century
16th century
16th century
18th century
18th century
15th century
15th century
Which popular theory is often cited as the symbolic inspiration behind the architectural shape of the cathedral’s domes?
Gold wealth
Gold wealth
The shape of nomadic tents
The shape of nomadic tents
Traditional agricultural storage pods
Traditional agricultural storage pods
Candle flames reaching for heaven
Candle flames reaching for heaven
What is the unique architectural layout of Saint Basil’s Cathedral?
Four towers arranged in a perfect square
Four towers arranged in a perfect square
Eight smaller churches surrounding a central ninth church
Eight smaller churches surrounding a central ninth church
Twelve domes representing the apostles
Twelve domes representing the apostles
A single, giant central dome
A single, giant central dome
Who are historically credited as the two main architects of the cathedral?
Ivanov and Petrov
Ivanov and Petrov
Postma and Yakovlev
Postma and Yakovlev
Dmitri and Vasily
Dmitri and Vasily
Barma and Posnik Yakovlev
Barma and Posnik Yakovlev
According to a famous, albeit likely mythical, legend, what fate befell the architects upon completing the building?
They retired with a pension
They retired with a pension
They were knighted by the Emperor
They were knighted by the Emperor
They were executed for treason
They were executed for treason
They were blinded by the Tsar to prevent replicating the design
They were blinded by the Tsar to prevent replicating the design
The cathedral’s design is heavily influenced by which style of building, translated into stone?
Renaissance Italian influence
Renaissance Italian influence
Traditional Russian wooden church architecture
Traditional Russian wooden church architecture
Ottoman Turkish architecture
Ottoman Turkish architecture
Byzantine influence
Byzantine influence
What are the primary building materials used for the structure’s walls?
Basalt and terracotta
Basalt and terracotta
Limestone and granite
Limestone and granite
Gold leaf and marble
Gold leaf and marble
White stone and red brick
White stone and red brick
The official name of the cathedral, Intercession of the Virgin by the Moat, was chosen to commemorate what military success?
The surrender of the Kazan Khanate
The surrender of the Kazan Khanate
The Battle of Waterloo victory
The Battle of Waterloo victory
The coronation of Tsar Mikhail Romanov
The coronation of Tsar Mikhail Romanov
The end of the Great Schism
The end of the Great Schism
Before being renamed, what was the original dedication of the church that preceded the larger stone cathedral?
Cathedral of the Dormition
Cathedral of the Dormition
Church of the Ascension
Church of the Ascension
Church of the Nativity
Church of the Nativity
Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Church
Which invading army used the cathedral as a stable during their occupation of Moscow?
The Mongol Golden Horde
The Mongol Golden Horde
Stalin’s secret police
Stalin’s secret police
Napoleon Bonaparte’s troops
Napoleon Bonaparte’s troops
The Bolsheviks during the Revolution
The Bolsheviks during the Revolution
Why was the cathedral nearly demolished during the Soviet era?
Stalin wanted to widen the square for military parades around 1930
Stalin wanted to widen the square for military parades around 1930
It was damaged by a major earthquake
It was damaged by a major earthquake
It was considered too close to the Kremlin walls for security reasons
It was considered too close to the Kremlin walls for security reasons
It was accidentally set on fire during a festival
It was accidentally set on fire during a festival
Which preservationist hero famously threatened to commit suicide if the cathedral was destroyed?
Pyotr Baranovsky
Pyotr Baranovsky
Vyacheslav Molotov
Vyacheslav Molotov
Lazar Kaganovich
Lazar Kaganovich
Georgy Zhukov
Georgy Zhukov
Which statement regarding the cathedral’s distinctive colorful domes is historically accurate?
The domes were replaced with modern glass after 1917
The domes were replaced with modern glass after 1917
The domes were originally painted solid green
The domes were originally painted solid green
The domes were not originally there at all until the 19th century renovation
The domes were not originally there at all until the 19th century renovation
Red and white striped domes were a later addition in the 17th century
Red and white striped domes were a later addition in the 17th century
Which Russian ruler commissioned the construction of the cathedral?
Nicholas II
Nicholas II
Ivan the Terrible
Ivan the Terrible
Peter the Great
Peter the Great
Ivan the Great
Ivan the Great
What is the primary material covering the intricate exterior of the cathedral’s domes?
Marble slabs
Marble slabs
Copper sheets
Copper sheets
Wooden shingles
Wooden shingles
Ceramic tiles
Ceramic tiles
What is the recognized construction period for the cathedral?
1555–1561
1555–1561
1545–1551
1545–1551
1565–1571
1565–1571
1575–1581
1575–1581
How did the famous vibrant color palette of the cathedral develop over time?
The exterior was painted uniform grey for centuries
The exterior was painted uniform grey for centuries
The original colors were muted; the vibrant colors were added in several stages until the 18th century
The original colors were muted; the vibrant colors were added in several stages until the 18th century
The colors were added in the 19th century for tourism purposes
The colors were added in the 19th century for tourism purposes
The colors were dictated by the heraldry of the ruling Romanov family
The colors were dictated by the heraldry of the ruling Romanov family
How is the cathedral structurally organized at its base?
The building has no basement level
The building has no basement level
The building was originally built as a fortress with secret tunnels beneath it
The building was originally built as a fortress with secret tunnels beneath it
The building is built upon a large, raised platform called a podklet
The building is built upon a large, raised platform called a podklet
The building is partially submerged below the Moscow River level
The building is partially submerged below the Moscow River level
Which French travel writer and diplomat famously described the cathedral as looking like a ‘box of confectionery’?
Paul Claudel
Paul Claudel
Marquis de Custine
Marquis de Custine
Victor Hugo
Victor Hugo
Alexandre Dumas
Alexandre Dumas
What was the primary purpose of the cathedral’s original design?
To serve as the official residence of the Russian Patriarch
To serve as the official residence of the Russian Patriarch
To function as the primary burial site for all Russian Tsars
To function as the primary burial site for all Russian Tsars
To act as a high-security vault for the royal treasury
To act as a high-security vault for the royal treasury
To serve as a triumphant monument commemorating a military victory
To serve as a triumphant monument commemorating a military victory
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