The oldest building of the Nizhny Novgorod fair is considered Spassky Staroyarmarochny Cathedral, built in 1822 by the French architect Auguste de Montferrand (Creator of St. Petersburg St. Isaac's Cathedral). The building of the Cathedral is a fair part of the architectural complex, designed by Spanish architect and a Russian statesman by Augustine de Betancourt.

In 1816 in Nizhny Novgorod was transferred Makaryev fair, that was the beginning of the construction of the main trade fair complex structures on the left Bank of the Oka. After the completion of the temple, one month a year (during the fair) from the Kremlin's Cathedral of the Transfiguration in the Fair Cathedral was delivered ancient icons and Church utensils. A PostScript to the main Cathedral of the city gave rise to name the new Cathedral of the Spassky. Staroyarmarochny Cathedral was renamed after the construction of the new (Novoarkhangel) Cathedral in honor of Alexander Nevsky.

The architectural design of the Cathedral is designed in the style of classicism. The facades and interior of the building is richly decorated with stucco and columns of the Corinthian order. By painting the walls and vaults of the Cathedral was engaged artist A. V. Stupin with his son Raphael. The original iconostasis Streamerone of the Cathedral was painted by European standards (sites with naked bodies) Italian Torricelli, which caused an uproar of many locals who refuse to pray at such icons. Later, the iconostasis was replaced by the work of architect V. P. Stasov.

After the revolution in the building of the Cathedral was occupied by a warehouse and an administrative building were given to live in. In 1991 Spassky Staroyarmarochny the Cathedral was returned to the Nizhny Novgorod diocese and until September 2009, had the status of a Cathedral. In the Cathedral are: the chapel-Shrine, Metropolitan of Nizhny Novgorod Nicholas, baptismal Church and chapel, and is a Sunday school and a library.