The history of Kazan Cathedral began with its foundation in 1782-1783 by Empress Catherine the Great, the empress who oversaw the expansion of the Russian Empire across Eurasia. It was built as a memorial to the Russian soldiers who bravely conquered Kazan, but it also served as a symbol for the power of the Russian Orthodox faith. In the 19th century, the cathedral was a major landmark for pilgrims to the city of St. Petersburg.