On December 15, 1999, a solemn opening of the monument to Saint Dimitri of Rostov took place in Sobornaya Square in Rostov-on-Don, which became a spiritual symbol of the city. The monument was installed at the site where, before the revolution, a monument to Alexander the First stood, destroyed in the early years of Soviet power. Behind the monument is the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God.

The bronze monument was created by sculptor Vladimir Belyakov, whose project won the competition. The opening of the monument was timed to the 250th anniversary of the city's founding.

In 2013, the idea of turning the monument to face the cathedral and moving it to the left, closer to the planned park in Sobornaya Square, was discussed. Initially, the residents of Rostov wanted to restore the monument to Emperor Alexander the First at this location, but local authorities did not support this initiative.