The Vladimir Cathedral was built in honour of Grand Prince Vladimir, who introduced Christianity in Russia in 998. The idea of building the cathedral belongs to Metropolitan Philaret Amfitheatrov. In 1852, after the official approval of the project by Tsar Nicholas I and the Synod, fundraising began. The first stone of St. Vladimir's Cathedral was laid on St. Vladimir's Day on 15 July 1862, but construction stretched for almost thirty years - until 1896.
Famous artists Viktor Vasnetsov, Mikhail Vrubel, Mikhail Nesterov were involved in the decoration of the interior of the cathedral. Vasnetsov created 15 compositions and 30 individual figures. He also painted the main nave of the cathedral, in which, apart from Gospel subjects, large-scale historical compositions, such as "Baptism of Prince Vladimir" and "Baptism of Kievers", as well as portraits of canonised Russian princes: Alexander Nevsky, Andrei Bogolyubsky, Princess Olga, occupy a large place. Vasnetsov's brush belongs to the central composition in the altar of the temple - the Mother of God with the Child.
The solemn consecration of St. Vladimir's Cathedral took place on 20 August 1896 in the presence of Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna.
