This Russian Orthodox cathedral rises above central Yalta on a hillside just a few minutes' walk from the embankment. Built between 1891 and 1902 in the neo-Byzantine style, it has three gilded onion domes that catch the light and serve as a landmark from the waterfront below. The cathedral is dedicated to Alexander Nevsky, the 13th-century prince and military commander, and was funded partly by tsarist patronage.
The interior is richly decorated with mosaics and icons in the late 19th-century Orthodox manner. Services are still held regularly, and the cathedral is an active parish church rather than simply a museum piece. The surrounding area is pleasant to wander: there are chestnut trees, a small garden, and good views back down toward the Black Sea through the canopy.