The Transfiguration Cathedral is the main treasure of Bolkhov and its historical and spiritual symbol. This majestic temple rises on Rasnaya Hill and is visible from almost any point in the city.

The cathedral is first mentioned in chronicles from 1625, although it can be confidently asserted that it existed since the founding of the city in the 16th century. At that time, there were two wooden cathedrals in Bolkhov: the Transfiguration and the Nikolsky, located in the center of the Kremlin. In 1671, a stone church was built with the funds of the voivode I.I. Rzhevsky. It was small and two-storied, with the main cold altar of the Transfiguration of the Lord above and two warm chapels below.

The construction of a new, larger church began on September 14, 1841, funded by merchant Iosif Dmitrievich Akulov, based on the project by Pavel Alexeyevich Malakhov. Without waiting for project approval, Akulov began dismantling the old cathedral. However, construction was halted by Archbishop Evlampiy, and only thanks to the requests of parishioners and the commitment of the city mayor A.I. Mertsalov to complete the church in case of Akulov's death did the work continue.

After Akulov's death in 1843, merchant Filipp Grigoryevich Shestakov continued the construction. In November 1846, Archimandrite Makariy consecrated the altars in the lower church. After Shestakov's death in 1848, his son Vasiliy completed the construction, and in November 1851, the altars in the upper church were consecrated. The cathedral had a total of six altars, and the main bell weighed over 700 poods and could be heard from 15-20 versts away. The cathedral accommodated up to 4500 people.

In the 1820s-30s, a tall classical bell tower was built next to the cathedral, with an inscription on the spire dated 1833. The bell tower is an example of mature classicism with Corinthian columns and a high spire.

The main volume of the cathedral is a two-story cross-domed structure, reflecting the influence of the Russian-Byzantine style. The interior of the upper church is spacious and bright, with a hall-like space.

The cathedral housed ancient church relics, such as the image of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker from the 16th century, gifts from voivode I.I. Rzhevsky, a silver chalice from 1666, and the altar Gospel from 1614. Gifts from Tsarevna Sofia Alexeyevna were also preserved.

The cathedral was closed in 1930, and its rich decoration disappeared. The new authorities treated the Bolkhov shrines harshly: of the 30 churches, only one has survived to this day, of which six are active.

The restoration of the cathedral began in the mid-1970s when the domes were returned. In 2000, Priest Alexander Afonin became the rector of the church and began services. Parishioners tidied up the lower church. By the blessing of Patriarch Alexy II, the relics of the holy confessor Georgy Kossov were transferred.

In 2004, the restoration of the external appearance of the temple began, carried out by employees of OAO "Orlestroy" under the guidance of V.V. Sobolev.