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About This Quiz
Don't let the majestic facades of the cathedrals we present here fool you. These famous landmarks have gone through some tough times. Yet they remain important religious and cultural symbols that inspire millions. Take our world cathedral quiz to see how many religious buildings you can recognize.
The world's most famous cathedrals neatly house heaps of Old World history. Crypts and cemeteries on these ecclesiastical campuses keep the noble remains of monarchs and famous folks. The refurbished facades of these structures can never erase the abuse the buildings have sustained from countless wars throughout the years. Most of all, cathedrals symbolize the civic pride and unwavering resiliency of humans. Restoration and maintenance projects can take a long time, but visionaries have humbled themselves to see plans for these places through to the end.Â
Get to know a cathedral from foundation to spire and you can get a pretty good sense of how much a town regards its own place in the world. More humble-looking worship centers, like the Southwell Minster of Nottinghamshire, are just as much appreciated as the elaborate, highly-embellished religious temples of France and England. You've heard of Notre Dame of Paris? Well, it isn't the only acclaimed holy dame in the world. In this quiz, you get to identify several that proudly bear the name!
Won't you give homage where it is due? Behold the architectural ascendancy of the greatest cathedrals on Earth!
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A famous English author told tales in this Kent construction where Augustine was sent to do holy work. Quickly select the answer.
Canterbury Cathedral
English poet Geoffrey Chaucer recorded religious pilgrimages to Canterbury in "The Canterbury Tales." Canterbury Cathedral is the mother church of the Anglican denomination. In 597, Pope Gregory the Great sent Augustine to convert England's pagan populace.
Cathedral of the Queen of Poland
Cathedral of the Protection of the Mother of God
Cathedral of Oviedo
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This London landmark is designated as a free chapel of the ruler. Can you identify it correctly?
Graz Cathedral
Beauvais Cathedral
Westminster Abbey
Henry VIII severed ties with the Roman Catholic Church and instituted the Anglican order. Westminster Abbey, however, is not associated with a particular ecclesiastical order. In 1222, Westminster Abbey was made a non-jurisdictional papal peculiar.
Porvoo Cathedral
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It is believed that this French cathedral was constructed on the site of a pagan temple. Can you ID the cathedral?
Transfiguration Cathedral
Cathedral of Granada
Notre Dame de Chartres
Notre Dame de Chartres was mostly constructed between 1194 and 1260. Nine master stonemasons rebuilt an earlier church that had been destroyed by fire. Of the three great cathedrals in France, Notre Dame de Chartres has the widest nave, measuring 53 feet from pillar to pillar.
Lund Cathedral
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Located on the Ile de la Cite in Paris, France, Napoleon crowned himself and Josephine at this holy place in 1804. Can you name it?
Notre Dame de Paris
The Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral​ in Paris was badly bruised during the French Wars of Religion and the French Revolution. An array of stonemasons and artists refurbished the historic church, which then survived an April 2019 fire that destroyed the building's roof and spire.
Uspenski Cathedral
St. Andrew's Cathedral
Terrassa Cathedral
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The _______ stands on top of its English city's tallest hill?
Montalcino Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral
After an earthquake destroyed the original Lincoln Cathedral, Bishop Hugh started rebuilding it in 1192. The bishop is memorialized at Lincoln Cathedral by name; the oldest area of the building is called St. Hugh's Choir.
Turku Cathedral
Cathedral of Tudela
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An underground master salvaged the Hampshire holy center where you'll find Anthony Gormley's Sound II statue in the crypt. Are you confident that you know the cathedral?
Cathedral of Leon
Saint Wenceslas Cathedral
St. John Cathedral
Winchester Cathedral
Philip of Spain married Queen Mary I at Winchester Cathedral in 1554. The English civil engineer responsible for the subway system in London, Francis Fox, rescued the damaged cathedral from severe flooding.
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Allied forces spared this German cathedral from destruction, though it suffered damage during the Second World War. What is the name of this famous worship center?
Karlstad Cathedral
Sacred Heart Cathedral
St. Nicholas Cathedral
Cologne Cathedral
Also known as the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Mary, Cologne Cathedral is a 770-year cultural beacon for the west German city's 1.1 million residents. The cathedral has twin spires that ascend 515 feet high.
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Lightning once destroyed the medieval spire on top of this building's Gothic tower. Is it difficult for you to guess the London, England structure?
Wiener Neustadt Cathedral
Molfetta Cathedral
Cathedral of St. Mary Magdalene
St. Paul's Cathedral
St. Paul's Cathedral has stood at that same address since 604 A.D; the Great Fire of London destroyed the first version. The current building was completed in 1710. Scientist and architect Christopher Wren announced plans for remodeling the destroyed building on August 5, 1666.
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Ivan the Terrible ordered Russian architects to build this religious center between 1555 and 1561. How easily can you identify it?
Calvi Cathedral
Tui Cathedral
Saint Basil's Cathedral
Moscow's Saint Basil's Cathedral sits in Moscow's Red Square and is comprised of nine separate churches. The cathedral's official name is "Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat." The Russian landmark also goes by the name "Pokrovsky Cathedral."
Vaxjo Cathedral
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Can you name the religious destination that was placed on the World Heritage list in 1981?
Notre Dame d'Amiens
The stone sculptures on the Western portals of Notre Dame d'Amiens are the building's main draw. The building is twice the size of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and is the largest cathedral in all of France.
Monopoli Cathedral
Assumption Cathedral
Cathedral of La Laguna
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This Viennese cathedral is regarded as one of the principal Gothic buildings in Europe. How well do you recognize it?
Cahors Cathedral
Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky
St. Stephen's Cathedral
Construction of Vienna's St. Stephen's Cathedral began in 1147. A Gothic-styled nave was attached from 1304 to 1450. A Gothic tower and spire were completed​ in 1433. The starkly dissimilar architectural style of Hans Hollein's glassy and modern Haas House, situated next to the cathedral, continues to stir controversy.
Cathedral of Ceuta
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Select the name of this Italian holy place that has undergone a controversial $7 million overhaul.
Gurk Cathedral
Aix Cathedral
Cathedral of the Mother of God
Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral
"Duomo" is the nickname for the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Italy. Architect Filippo Brunelleschi designed the cathedral's large marble dome, which was set in 1434. To reach the dome, you need to climb 463 steps of the 500-foot-length cathedral.
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From among the choices, which English worship center boasts a 404-foot spire?
Lulea Cathedral
Salisbury Cathedral
It took 38 years for the Salisbury Cathedral to be completed. English landscape painters J.M.W. Turner and John Constable have illustrated the cathedral and its 404-foot spire, which is the tallest in the country.
Cathedral of St. Stephen
Tampere Cathedral
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If you ever visit this basilica, be sure to observe its 83,000-square-foot mosaic. Can you name the embellished holy place?
Cathedral of Christ the King
Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis
Like its residence city, Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis is named for the king of France, Louis IX, who is the patron saint of the worship center and the city. A log cabin, built in 1770, was the city's first Catholic church.
Cathedral of the Transfiguration
Dornoch Cathedral
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This 20th-century English place has a distinctly​ Gothic style. Can you ID the famous cathedral?
Liverpool Cathedral
A 22-year-old Giles Gilbert Scott commenced designs for Liverpool's neo-Gothic Anglican Cathedral in 1902. The First and Second World Wars curbed initial design schemes for the structure, which was completed in 1978. Scott also designed England's iconic red phone booths.
Cathedral Church of St. James
Acerno Cathedral
Blessed Virgin Mary Cathedral
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Can you identify this famous cathedral included in a popular pilgrimage path?
Santiago de Compostela Cathedral
Along the historic pilgrimage route in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, cafes and churches stamp the passports of pilgrims to prove that they have traversed at least 62 miles of the course. With the required proof, travelers earn a certificate of completion at the end of the trek.
Brechin Cathedral
Terrassa Cathedral
Abbey of St. Maurice
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Twenty-five French kings were anointed here starting in A.D. 816. Can you name this royal destination?
Uppsala Cathedral
Reims Cathedral
French monarchs Louis VII and Charles X were crowned at Reims Cathedral in 1223 and 1824, respectively. Religious visionary Joan of Arc's statue occupies the front of the Reims Cathedral. On July 17, 1429, she attended the coronation of Charles VII at the cathedral, after she helped liberate the city.
St. Leon Cathedral
Klagenfurt Cathedral
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Name this famous hilltop cathedral that overlooks River Wear in northeast England?
Sankt Polten Cathedral
Cathedral of St. Joseph
Durham Cathedral
The Romanesque Durham Cathedral of northeast England shares a landscape with a castle. Construction for the cathedral began in 1093 and took four decades to complete. The church contains the tomb of St. Cuthbert.
St. Vladimir's Cathedral
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It took nearly 600 years to complete which Italian religious structure?
Duomo di Milano
Construction of the Duomo di Milano began in 1386 and was completed in the 20th century. Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano is the organization that has supervised the cathedral's construction and upkeep since 1387.
Belfort Cathedral
St. Augustine's Cathedral
Holy Resurrection Cathedral
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This place got its start in 1220 after a wooden church of the Saxons was razed. Can you guess the current cathedral's name?
York Minster
After William the Conqueror seized the region of York, he immediately destroyed the church at the cathedral's present site. Norman religious authorities built the Gothic cathedral thereafter.
Salzburg Cathedral
St. Michael's Cathedral
Gothenburg Cathedral
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A flood of Burgher donations financed this French building's spire and facade construction. How easy is it for you to guess the holy structure?
St. Mary's Cathedral
Strasbourg Cathedral
Strasbourg Cathedral replaced an earlier building that was destroyed by fire in the 12th century. A 466-foot spire adorns the current cathedral, whose construction began in 1176 and was completed in 1439.
Cathedral of the Holy Spirit
Maribo Cathedral
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This is a Czech structure that's located on a hill on the left bank of the Vltava River. Do you know the famous cathedral's name?
St. Boris Cathedral
Kuopio Cathedral
Naples Cathedral
St. Vitus Cathedral
Builders began working on St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague in 1344 but construction was not completed until 1929. Czech painter Alphonse Mucha designed an Art Nouveau-style window for the Gothic cathedral in the early 1900s.
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Can you identify the oldest and biggest Catholic church in Latin America?
Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral
Located in Zocalo Square, the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral was built starting in 1573 and was completed in 1813. Spain's Gothic cathedrals served as inspiration for this national cathedral of Mexico.
Sacred Heart Cathedral
St. Saviour's Cathedral
Seckau Abbey
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Can you recognize the oldest cathedral in the United States?
St. Louis Cathedral
St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans was named after King Louis IX of France. Established in 1789, the building houses a statue of the French king and its stained glass windows contain images that illustrate his life.
St. Simeon Cathedral
Millport Cathedral
Cathedral of Palencia
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This religious property was intended to serve as a memorial for those who perished during war. What name do you give the cathedral?
Bodo Cathedral
Cathedral Basilica of St. James the Apostle
Annunciation Cathedral
Coventry Cathedral
Present-day Coventry Cathedral replaces a prior building destroyed during a Second World War bombing raid. King Henry VIII destroyed the city's first cathedral, St. Mary's, in 1539.
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You might get a laugh from viewing this institution up close. Can you guess its name?
St. Peter's Cathedral
Washington National Cathedral
President Theodore Roosevelt set the foundation stone of the Washington National Cathedral in 1907. Carved into the twin-towered ecclesiastical center are unusual gargoyles and grotesques, which are designed to keep rainwater from eroding the building. Assorted figurines, which act as rain spouts, include the likeness of unscrupulous politicians and Darth Vader of "Star Wars" fame.
Salzburg Cathedral
Cathedral of St. Jude Thaddeus
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Some believe that this construction in Spain is the third-largest cathedral in the world. Do you notice the right name from among the options?
Visby Cathedral
Cathedral of the Holy Trinity
Cathedral of St. Peter
Seville Cathedral
The 14th-century Seville Cathedral is comprised of numerous chapels, including Royal Chapel and five naves. The building showcases a statue of patron saint Virgin de los Reyes, Our Lady of the Kings. The building also houses one of several tombs for Christopher Columbus.
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What English cathedral is a superb example of Norman architecture?
St. Canute's Cathedral
Norwich Cathedral
After the grounds of the Norwich Cathedral were damaged during a riot in 1272, new cloisters were started in 1297 and weren't completed until 130 years later. The cathedral's foundation was laid in 1096.
Birmingham Cathedral
Fidenza Cathedral
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You'll find richly-crafted arches at ________ in Somerset, U.K.
Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Cathedral of St. Catherine in Utrecht
Wells Cathedral
The 14th-century Gothic Wells Cathedral is home to a 10th-century manuscript and an astronomical clock dating to the 16th century. The building's spire was dismantled in 1438 after it was struck by lightning.
Hamar Cathedral
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It's regarded as the birthplace of Gothic architecture. Identify this famous worship center?
Cathedral of Christ's Transfiguration
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Basilica of Saint-Denis
For more than 1,000 years, France buried its kings at the Basilica of Saint-Denis, located in Saint-Denis, France. In the cathedral's basement, archaeologists have found foundation stones dating from the Middle Ages.
Cathedral of St. Joseph
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This Oxfordshire, U.K., religious landmark is a college. Can you guess its name?
St. Bartholomew's Cathedral
Haderslev Cathedral
Saint Olaf's Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral has served as a learning center at Oxford since the 12th century. Christ Church is the biggest of the 40 halls and colleges that comprise Oxford University.
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Have you figured out the name of the U.K. temple that stands over the River Severn?
Cathedral of St. Philip
Tromso Cathedral
Cathedral of the Resurrection and St. Thomas the Apostle
Worcester Cathedral
Stonemasons replaced nearly 70 percent of Worcester Cathedral's facade between 1855 and 1870. The red sandstone cathedral is home to the remains of distinguished English notables, including King John.
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Choose the religious landmark located in the Nob Hill district of San Francisco?
Grace Cathedral
San Francisco's Grace Cathedral reflects architectural hints of medieval style. Every year, nearly half a million visitors witness the structure's stained-glass windows and high ceiling. Grace Cathedral is the third largest​ Episcopal cathedral in the United States.
Roskilde Cathedral
Derby Cathedral
Frascati Cathedral
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In 2001, a fire damaged an 8,500 pipe organ in this building. Choose the name of this famous place?
St. Andrew's Cathedral
Cathedral of Saint John the Divine
New York City's Saint John the Divine Cathedral is the world's fifth-largest church building. The structure's Portal of Paradise is the building's central entrance where you'll find its 3-ton bronze doors.
Cathedral of Girona
Skara Cathedral
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Do you recall the name of this famous French structure by looking at the photo?
Albi Cathedral
In the summer of 2010, Albi Cathedral, also known as Sainte-Cecile Cathedral of Albi, was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Gothic structure stands on a hill near Tarn River.
Cathedral of St. Joseph
Holy Rosary Cathedral
St. Nicholas Cathedral
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Can you identify the holy center in Nottinghamshire that's one of England's least-known cathedrals?
Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lady Help of Christians
St. Michael's Basilica
Southwell Minster
England's Southwell Minster stands in the town of Southwell, which has a population of approximately 7,500. The cathedral's design is a mix of Norman and Gothic architecture. Minster School is the town's largest building.
Saint Wenceslas Cathedral
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It's the oldest Gothic church in London. Can you identify the famous cathedral from just one image?
St. Olaf's Cathedral
Gibraltar Cathedral
Southwark Cathedral
The relatively small Southwark Cathedral is located on London's south side. Like St. Paul's Cathedral and Westminister Abbey, Southwark was first a Catholic church before King Henry VIII severed ties with Rome in 1536.
Gerace Cathedral
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How well do you recognize this religious property that was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO?
Sion Cathedral
St. Alban's Cathedral
Cathedral of the Holy Cross
Burgos Cathedral
The Gothic Burgos Cathedral of northern Spain is a Roman Catholic church that was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Fifteenth-century limestone carvings adorn the cathedral's retro-choir.
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The first Cambridgeshire church dates back to 665. Can you identify the name of its replacement edifice shown here?
Sion Cathedral
Sacred Heart Cathedral
Peterborough Cathedral
The 12th-century Peterborough Cathedral is an example of Norman architecture. The building includes an embellished nave ceiling that was completed in the mid-13th century. The elaborate ceiling is one of four of its kind throughout Europe.
St. Saviour's Cathedral
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The octagonal central tower at this Cambridgeshire cathedral is considered to be unique cathedral architecture. How well do you know the building?
Ely Cathedral
Waterlogged marshland surrounds the sturdy medieval Ely Cathedral, which boasts a lantern tower that weighs 200 tons. Construction for the holy place began in 1110. Ely's octagonal crossing replaced the Norman crossing tower, which collapsed on February 22, 1322.
St. Bartholomew's Cathedral
Laval Cathedral
Cathedral of Solsona
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