Artist Gerhard Richter's cathedral window, unveiled in 2007, is made of what?

11,263 squares of colored glass

What happened to Cologne Cathedral during World War II?

It was hit many times but remained standing

Decke Pitter, the cathedral's largest bell, holds which record?

One of the largest free-swinging church bells in the world

Cologne Cathedral Quiz: Gothic Spires and Treasures of Germany

This Cologne Cathedral quiz explores Germany's great Gothic church on the Rhine, with questions on when building began and ended, the golden Shrine of the Three Kings, Gerhard Richter's pixel window, how the cathedral survived World War II, the 533 steps of the south tower, the giant bell Decke Pitter, its time as the world's tallest building, a medieval crane and the love locks of the Hohenzollern Bridge. Ten questions.

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

Question 1 / 10 Time: 90s

Construction
In which year did construction of Cologne Cathedral begin?
Completion
Cologne Cathedral was finally completed in which year, more than 600 years after it was begun?
Treasures
The golden Shrine of the Three Kings in Cologne Cathedral is believed to hold the relics of whom?
Windows
Artist Gerhard Richter's cathedral window, unveiled in 2007, is made of what?
War
What happened to Cologne Cathedral during World War II?
Steps
How many steps lead to the viewing platform in the cathedral's south tower?
Bells
Decke Pitter, the cathedral's largest bell, holds which record?
Records
When it was completed in 1880, Cologne Cathedral was briefly the world's tallest what?
Cranes
What stood on top of the unfinished south tower for about 400 years and became a symbol of the city?
Bridges
The nearby Hohenzollern Bridge over the Rhine is famous for what?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: In which year did construction of Cologne Cathedral begin?
Answer: 1248
The foundation stone was laid on August 15, 1248. Work then stopped for centuries in the 1470s, leaving the building unfinished.
Q2: Cologne Cathedral was finally completed in which year, more than 600 years after it was begun?
Answer: 1880
Builders followed the original medieval plans, which had been rediscovered. Emperor Wilhelm I attended the celebrations.
Q3: The golden Shrine of the Three Kings in Cologne Cathedral is believed to hold the relics of whom?
Answer: The Three Wise Men
The relics were brought from Milan in 1164. The cathedral was built to house them, making Cologne a major pilgrimage site.
Q4: Artist Gerhard Richter's cathedral window, unveiled in 2007, is made of what?
Answer: 11,263 squares of colored glass
The squares come in 72 colors and were arranged partly by chance using a computer. Some people compared it to pixels or a digital image.
Q5: What happened to Cologne Cathedral during World War II?
Answer: It was hit many times but remained standing
The city around it was heavily bombed. The tall spires were a landmark for pilots, which may have helped save the building.
Q6: How many steps lead to the viewing platform in the cathedral's south tower?
Answer: 533
The platform is about 100 meters above the ground. Climbers pass the bell chamber on the way up.
Q7: Decke Pitter, the cathedral's largest bell, holds which record?
Answer: One of the largest free-swinging church bells in the world
Its name means Fat Peter in the Cologne dialect. It weighs about 24 tons and rings on major holidays.
Q8: When it was completed in 1880, Cologne Cathedral was briefly the world's tallest what?
Answer: Building
Its spires reach about 157 meters. It lost the record in 1884 to the Washington Monument.
Q9: What stood on top of the unfinished south tower for about 400 years and became a symbol of the city?
Answer: A medieval wooden crane
The crane was left in place when building stopped in the 15th century. It appears in old paintings of the Cologne skyline.
Q10: The nearby Hohenzollern Bridge over the Rhine is famous for what?
Answer: Thousands of love locks
Couples attach padlocks to its railings and throw the keys into the Rhine. The bridge carries trains into Cologne's main station, right next to the cathedral.

Cologne Cathedral Quiz – Germany's Gothic Giant

Cologne Cathedral, the Kölner Dom, is one of the greatest Gothic churches in the world. Standing beside the Rhine in the city of Cologne, Germany, it is the country's most visited landmark. Its twin spires rise about 157 meters, and it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.

Construction began in 1248, to house the relics of the Three Wise Men, brought to Cologne from Milan in 1164. Work stopped in the 15th century, leaving the cathedral unfinished, with a medieval crane standing on the south tower for about 400 years. In the 19th century, builders used rediscovered medieval plans to finish it. It was completed in 1880, 632 years after it was begun.

When finished, it was briefly the tallest building in the world. During World War II, it was hit by bombs many times but remained standing while much of the city around it was destroyed. Restoration work continues to this day, carried out by a permanent team of stonemasons.

Inside, visitors admire the golden Shrine of the Three Kings, medieval stained glass, the Gero Cross and Gerhard Richter's colorful window of 11,263 glass squares. Climbing 533 steps up the south tower leads to sweeping views over the Rhine. The great bell Decke Pitter rings on special occasions.

Next to the cathedral, the Hohenzollern Bridge is covered in love locks. Cologne is also known for Kölsch beer and its huge carnival.

The cathedral sits right next to Cologne's main railway station, so many travelers see it as soon as they step outside. At night, floodlights make the dark stone glow, and the square in front fills with street performers.

This quiz covers the history, treasures, records and traditions of Cologne Cathedral.

What This Quiz Teaches

This quiz is perfect for architecture lovers, history fans and travelers to Germany.

When building began and ended
The Shrine of the Three Kings
Gerhard Richter's modern window
How the cathedral survived World War II
The south tower, Decke Pitter and the medieval crane
Its time as the world's tallest building and the Hohenzollern Bridge

Quick Facts About Cologne Cathedral

The cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne.
About 6 million people visit each year.
The Gero Cross is one of the oldest large crucifixes north of the Alps.
The cathedral's workshop employs stonemasons full-time.
Its roof is covered with lead.
The cathedral was briefly on UNESCO's danger list from 2004 to 2006.