Alexander II, who was wounded in the place where the magnificent temple is now, did not survive the assassination attempt. Alexander III, who ascended the throne after his death, wished that the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ (this is the official name of the temple) should be built on the model of ancient Russian churches.

The symbolism of the building is associated with the martyrdom of the reformer tsar: the height of the central tent of the church — 81 meters — symbolizes the fateful year of 1881 (the last in the life of the tsar), the nine heads of the temple of different heights recall the nine attempts on the life of Emperor Alexander II. Along the base of the building there are 20 memorial plaques made of red granite, telling about the great deeds of one of the best sons of Russia. The place where the fatal assassination attempt on Alexander II took place has been completely preserved: in the center of the church there is a piece of pavement on which the Tsar's blood was baked. It was covered with a magnificent canopy, decorated with gems and topaz.

Construction began in 1883 and lasted until 1907. Alexander III personally approved the project of architect Alfred Parland and Archimandrite Ignatiy (Malyshev). A special foundation was built to strengthen the soil. The temple was lit by 1,689 electric lamps. The Savior on Spilled Blood is called a museum of mosaic art — the mosaic occupies more than 7,000 m² of interior. A rare European temple can compete with such a luxurious and extensive collection.

After the revolution, the church went through hard times — it was used both as a stable and as a warehouse for theatrical props. Since 1968, when the cathedral was handed over to the Inspectorate for the Protection of State Monuments, restoration work began in the cathedral. They dragged on for many years. A legend has arisen among the people that the forests will be removed from the church when the Soviet authorities fall. Surprisingly, the restoration of the church was completed in 1991.

The interior of the temple is unique in its beauty and luxury: colored tiles, a collection of gems, jewelry enamel, gilded copper and marble. The best painters of the Russian Empire — Viktor Vasnetsov, Andrey Ryabushkin, Mikhail Nesterov and others — took part in the painting of the frescoes and iconostasis.

Currently, the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood is part of the State Memorial Museum “St. Isaac's Cathedral” and has the status of a museum.