The square in which the cathedral stands marks the beginning of the end of the WWII German siege of Leningrad. The facade of the church is pockmarked with bullet holes.
The Astoria, an dull looking five star hotel that stands just next to the cathedral. It seems that Hitler was so sure that his army would take Leningrad that he arranged to hold a victory celebration party in this hotel: he even had a guest list and had tickets printed for the event.