At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, Yalta was known as the "summer resort capital." The founders of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Yalta, solemnly consecrated on December 1, 1902, believed that the new temple would become a decoration of the city and a symbol of the citizens' devotion to the great ideals of the Russian people. Funds for the construction of the cathedral were collected from all over the world.

The construction of the cathedral is linked to the tragic death of Russian Emperor Alexander II, the Liberator. Under Emperor Alexander III, known as the Peacemaker, cathedrals were built throughout Russia in honor of Saint Prince Alexander Nevsky, the heavenly patron of the deceased emperor.

The temple's project was personally approved by Alexander III. The sovereign, possessing a Russian soul and deep religiosity, chose the design of the famous Crimean architect P. K. Terebenev. The temple, square in plan, two-tiered, with five domes of different sizes and a three-tiered bell tower, features open external galleries and an abundance of Russian ornamentation. It resembles the best Moscow churches of the 17th century.

The layout of the construction site and overall supervision of the construction were taken on by military engineer and scientist A. L. Berthier-Delagarde, while the oversight of the cathedral's erection was entrusted to architect N. P. Krasnov. The cathedral consists of two churches: the lower one, in the name of Saint Great Martyr Artemius, accommodating 600-700 people, and the upper, main one, in the name of Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky, which holds 1000-1200 people. On the southeast side of the temple is a mosaic image of Saint Alexander Nevsky by Venetian artist Antonio Salviati. On the second tier, on either side of the central bell tower, are images of Saints Theodosius and Anthony. Above the main entrance is an image of Jesus Christ. The temple features images of the Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky and Saint Nicholas, created based on archival photographic documents.

Emperor Nicholas II and his entourage attended the consecration of the cathedral in December 1902.

In the post-war years, the cathedral was frequently served by Saint Luke, V. F. Voyno-Yasenetsky. From the early 1950s, his friend and associate, mitred protodeacon Mikhail Semyonyuk, was the rector. The services, resumed during the Great Patriotic War, continue to this day. The cathedral is not only one of the most beautiful churches in Crimea but also a monument of national history, associated with the names of the last three Russian emperors who contributed to the elevation of the Orthodox faith, public enlightenment, and the improvement of the state.

In 2002, the 100th anniversary of the consecration of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral was celebrated. For this date, with the blessing of Metropolitan Lazar of Simferopol and Crimea and with the support of the city administration, work was carried out to gild the domes, restore the painting, and the iconostasis.

Currently, daily services are held in the cathedral. Since 1995, a general education school has been operating at the temple, where about 100 children are educated.