Located at St. Sophia Square (Sofiiska Ploshcha), this location used to be a field outside of the town.  According to the Chronicler, in 1017 or 1037 the Grand Prince Yaroslav the Wise founded St. Sophia Cathedral (Sofiisky Sobor). It was dedicated to te "God's Wisdom".

During it's 950 years, there have been many attacks, and reconstructions, of the church.

This church was declared a preserve in 1934. In 1987 it was awarded the Gold Medal of the Hamburg Fund for preservation of historical monuments. In 1990 it was recorded to the Monuments of World UNESCO Heritage.