The Nativity cathedral is a rare monument of Vladimir-Suzdal white stone architecture of the pre-mongol period. It was built in 1222-1225 on the site of the Assumption cathedral built by Vladimir Monomakh at the end of the 11th - beginning of the 12th centuries which had collapsed. The one-domed Assumption cathedral was built in plinth. The new 13th century cathedral was built in lime stone, but the old plinth from the previous one was used in the masonry inside. This technique distinguishes it from the other monuments of Vladimir-Suzdal architecture. The facades and portals of this 3-domed cathedral were decorated with the white stone carvings. After the fire of 1445 the upper part of the cathedral was rebuilt in brick. The 3 domes were replaced by 5 domes.

The 17th century was the period of great changes and reconstructions. The choir gallery was taken to pieces, the windows were widened, new narthexes were added, the walls were repainted. In the 18th century the wooden roof was replaced by the metal one, the central dome was gilded. In 1950-1960 the Nativity cathedral was released from the later constructions, restored again and took the present day shape. The restoration of the cathedral is still going on. It's being used by the Vladimir-Suzdal museum and the church. The cathedral is on the World Heritage List of UNESCO.