- 1. St. Petersburg, founded by Peter the Great in 1703, served as the capital of Russia for over 200 years, symbolizing a new era of modernization and westernization for the Russian Empire. This vibrant city, situated on the Neva River and characterized by its stunning baroque and neoclassical architecture, was envisioned by Peter as a 'window to Europe' and played a pivotal role in the cultural and political transformation of Russia. The decision to establish St. Petersburg as the capital was not merely geographical; it was a bold statement of intent to align Russia more closely with European powers. The city's design incorporated wide avenues and grand palaces, reflecting the aspirations of its imperial founders. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, St. Petersburg flourished as a center of art, literature, and education, attracting luminaries such as Dostoevsky, Tchaikovsky, and Nabokov. The Winter Palace, the Hermitage Museum, and the Church of the Savior on Blood are just a few examples of its architectural splendor. However, the status of St. Petersburg as the capital also came with challenges, including its harsh climate and the complexities of navigating a city built on a series of islands. Ultimately, in 1918, following the Russian Revolution, the capital was moved to Moscow, yet St. Petersburg remains a city steeped in history, known for its cultural heritage and architectural beauty, continuing to reflect the imperial ambitions of its past.
When was St. Petersburg declared the capital of Russia?
A) 1905
B) 1800
C) 1712
D) 1600
- 2. Who was the Russian emperor who moved the capital to St. Petersburg?
A) Nicholas II
B) Peter the Great
C) Catherine the Great
D) Ivan the Terrible
- 3. Which famous Russian author wrote a novel that is partly set in St. Petersburg?
A) Anton Chekhov
B) Alexander Pushkin
C) Fyodor Dostoevsky
D) Leo Tolstoy
- 4. Which iconic cathedral in St. Petersburg is known for its colorful onion domes?
A) St. Isaac's Cathedral
B) Peter and Paul Cathedral
C) Kazan Cathedral
D) Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood
- 5. What is the name of the famous palace located just outside St. Petersburg?
A) Pavlovsk Palace
B) Catherine Palace
C) Winter Palace
D) Peterhof Palace
- 6. Which famous museum in St. Petersburg is housed in the Winter Palace?
A) Faberge Museum
B) Russian Museum
C) Erarta Museum
D) Hermitage Museum
- 7. What is the name of the large park complex in St. Petersburg known for its beautiful gardens and fountains?
A) Peterhof
B) Mikhailovsky Garden
C) Summer Garden
D) Tauride Garden
- 8. In what year did St. Petersburg undergo a name change to Petrograd?
A) 1905
B) 1920
C) 1917
D) 1914
- 9. Which river flows through the center of St. Petersburg before reaching the Gulf of Finland?
A) Ob River
B) Volga River
C) Don River
D) Neva River
- 10. What is the name of the large fortress built on an island in the Neva River in St. Petersburg?
A) Vyborg Castle
B) Oreshek Fortress
C) Peter and Paul Fortress
D) Kronstadt Fortress
- 11. In which architectural style was St. Petersburg primarily built?
A) Renaissance
B) Neoclassical
C) Baroque
D) Gothic
- 12. What important event in World War II besieged Leningrad (St. Petersburg) for over 870 days?
A) Battle of Moscow
B) Battle of Stalingrad
C) Operation Barbarossa
D) Siege of Leningrad
- 13. Which famous Russian ballet company is based in St. Petersburg?
A) Kirov Ballet
B) Mariinsky Ballet
C) Bolshoi Ballet
D) Russian National Ballet
- 14. What is the name of the major sports venue in St. Petersburg known for hosting football matches and concerts?
A) Yubileiny Sports Palace
B) Luzhniki Stadium
C) Gazprom Arena
D) Krestovsky Stadium
- 15. Which famous St. Petersburg landmark is adorned with a massive equestrian statue of Peter the Great?
A) Rostral Columns
B) Bronze Horseman
C) Alexander Column
D) Aurora Cruiser
- 16. In 1905, what was the city's name changed to from St. Petersburg in order to erase the Germanic-sounding original name?
A) Stalingrad
B) Volgograd
C) Petrograd
D) Leningrad
- 17. What is the official Russian name for St. Petersburg?
A) Kazan
B) Sankt-Peterburg
C) Moscow
D) Volgograd
- 18. In which century did St. Petersburg become the de facto capital of Russia?
A) 19th century
B) 18th century
C) 20th century
D) 17th century
- 19. Which of the following is a famous avenue in St. Petersburg?
A) Nevsky Prospekt
B) Gorky Street
C) Red Square
D) Lenin Avenue
- 20. What is the State Hermitage Museum located in St. Petersburg famous for?
A) Numismatic exhibits
B) Art collection
C) Archaeological finds
D) Military history artifacts
- 21. Which important historical event occurred in St. Petersburg on January 22, 1905?
A) Russo-Japanese War
B) October Revolution
C) Bloody Sunday
D) Decembrist Revolt
- 22. During which war did St. Petersburg come under siege for over 800 days?
A) The Great Northern War
B) World War II
C) Napoleonic Wars
D) Crimean War
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