Overlooking Krylov Canal in St. Petersburg and nestled next to St. Nicholas Square is one of the finest Russian Baroque styled buildings, St. Nicholas Cathedral, locally known as the Sailor's Church. Its golden domes rise majestically above the trees and the drab residential and commercial buildings in this area of St. Petersburg.

The first church built from wood in 1743 was constructed for the sailors who originally settled in this area of St. Petersburg during the time of Peter the Great. As the area grew in size, Empress Elizabeth commissioned Admiralty architect Savva Chevakininsky to design and build a stone church. Due to the position of the site on the banks of Krylov Canal, linking the Moika and Fontanka Rivers, the ground had to be raised by 2 meters before the church foundations could be built to protect it from flooding.

Construction in St. Petersburg commenced in 1753 and the main altar was consecrated in 1760 in the presence of Empress Elizabeth. The Cathedral is split into two churches on upper and lower floors. The low vaulted exterior is beautifully decorated with icons by Fedot and Menas Kolokonikov. The church officially became a naval cathedral in July 1762.

Scenes from Russian naval history decorate the walls of the St. Nicholas Cathedral. During 1907 two marble plaques commemorating the sailors who died in the Russian - Japanese War of 1904-1905, were hung on the south of the upper church. A memorial to the sailors who lost their lives in 1905 on the battleship Alexander III was erected at the same time in St. Nicholas square next to the Cathedral.

Given as gifts by Catherine the Great and on display, are 10 spectacular gold framed icons portraying Saints who are celebrated at Russian Naval celebrations. The image of St. Nicholas the Miracle-Worker is the most worshipped Saint of them all. The image was originally given to the church by Greek sailors, but stolen in 1812 by the French and later returned in 1835 by the Prussians to Nicholas I.