Shrine of the Three Kings Quiz: Cologne's Golden Reliquary

This Shrine of the Three Kings quiz approaches the golden treasure behind Cologne Cathedral's altar. Play an interactive set of 10 questions on relics of the Magi, their 1164 journey from Milan, Archbishop Rainald of Dassel, Frederick Barbarossa, goldsmith Nicholas of Verdun, gems and cameos, its basilica shape, why the cathedral was built, the three crowns of Cologne and an 1864 opening.

Start Shrine of the Three Kings Quiz

🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 150 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 150s

Cathedral
Where is the Shrine of the Three Kings?
Relics
Whose relics is the shrine said to hold?
From
Where were the relics brought from in 1164?
Bishop
Which archbishop brought them to Cologne?
Emperor
Which emperor captured Milan before the transfer?
Maker
Which goldsmith began work on the shrine?
Record
What record does the shrine hold?
Shape
What shape is the shrine?
Why
Why was the Gothic cathedral begun in 1248?
Crowns
What on Cologne's coat of arms recalls the Magi?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: Where is the Shrine of the Three Kings?
Answer: Cologne Cathedral
It stands behind the high altar.
Q2: Whose relics is the shrine said to hold?
Answer: The Three Magi
They visited the infant Jesus.
Q3: Where were the relics brought from in 1164?
Answer: Milan
They were taken after a conquest.
Q4: Which archbishop brought them to Cologne?
Answer: Rainald of Dassel
He was the emperor's chancellor.
Q5: Which emperor captured Milan before the transfer?
Answer: Frederick Barbarossa
He was Holy Roman Emperor.
Q6: Which goldsmith began work on the shrine?
Answer: Nicholas of Verdun
Work started around 1190.
Q7: What record does the shrine hold?
Answer: Largest reliquary in the Western world
It is over two meters long.
Q8: What shape is the shrine?
Answer: Like a small basilica church
It has a roof and sides.
Q9: Why was the Gothic cathedral begun in 1248?
Answer: To house the relics worthily
Pilgrims flocked to Cologne.
Q10: What on Cologne's coat of arms recalls the Magi?
Answer: Three crowns
They sit above red and white.

Gold, Gems and the Relics of the Magi

The Shrine of the Three Kings stands behind the high altar of Cologne Cathedral. It is said to hold relics of the Magi, the wise men who visited the infant Jesus. In 1164, after Emperor Frederick Barbarossa captured Milan, his chancellor Archbishop Rainald of Dassel brought the relics to Cologne.

Pilgrims flocked to see them, and goldsmith Nicholas of Verdun began work on a magnificent reliquary around 1190. Shaped like a small basilica church, it is covered with gilded silver, gemstones, ancient cameos and figures of prophets and apostles. It is the largest reliquary in the Western world.

The relics made Cologne a major pilgrimage center, and in 1248 work began on the Gothic cathedral to house them worthily. When the shrine was opened in 1864, bones and fabrics were found inside. The three crowns on Cologne's coat of arms recall the Magi.

What This Quiz Teaches

History fans will enjoy these questions.

Whose relics are inside
How they reached Cologne
Who made the shrine
What it looks like
How it shaped the cathedral

Did You Know?

The cathedral took over 600 years to finish.
Epiphany on 6 January honors the Magi.
The shrine is protected behind glass.
Cologne Cathedral is a UNESCO site.
Its twin spires dominate the skyline.