One of the most notable buildings in Yevpatoria is the majestic St. Nicholas Cathedral, which stands out for its size and architectural beauty, towering over the cityscape.

This temple is undoubtedly the main dominant feature of the historical part of Yevpatoria alongside the Juma-Jami Mosque and the Church of the Prophet Elijah, shaping the architectural appearance of the city from the sea. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the cathedral appeared even more grandiose as it was surrounded by predominantly one-story buildings. Only two two-story European-style buildings from the 19th century were nearby, and the main construction around the cathedral began after its completion, largely thanks to it.

As early as 1774, in Gezlev, the old name of Yevpatoria, there was a small church of St. Nicholas built by local Greeks. In 1779, the city avoided a plague epidemic due to strict quarantine measures implemented by the military garrison under the command of A.V. Suvorov. Suvorov visited the Church of St. Nicholas and sang in its choir. In 2004, a monument to Suvorov was erected near the cathedral.

In 1805, a new Church of St. Nicholas was built, but it suffered greatly during the Crimean War and fell into disrepair. By the end of the 19th century, Orthodox Russians and Greeks made up almost half of the city's population, which necessitated the construction of a new temple.

Bishop Innocent, in his report to the Holy Synod, mentioned that there were many Muslims in Crimea whose ancestors were Christians. In 1859, Alexander II supported the establishment of a diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church on the peninsula.

The St. Nicholas Cathedral was laid on July 11, 1893, in memory of Yevpatoria's liberation from Anglo-French-Turkish troops. Its construction began under the guidance of Bishop Martinian and Priest Fyodor Turovsky. On February 16, 1899, the cathedral was solemnly consecrated by Bishop Nikon.

This cathedral is considered a resemblance to Hagia Sophia in Constantinople. Its huge dome, pierced with windows, and the side domes give it a similarity to temples in ancient Byzantium.

Architect Alexander Iosifovich Bernardazzi designed the cathedral for 2000 believers, making it an important part of Yevpatoria's architectural appearance. The cathedral, built according to the calculations of V.A. Gerenek, is an octagonal building with a monolithic concrete dome with a diameter of 18 meters. This engineering innovation of its time is characterized by originality and boldness. The side domes serve as buttresses, supporting the main dome, while the square bell tower completes the composition.

Bernardazzi successfully integrated the cathedral into the marine landscape, making it the center of Yevpatoria's architectural appearance.