St Isaac's Cathedral, originally commissioned by Alexander I in 1818 was only completed 40 years later under Alexander II, and it is seen here as a building site with wooden fencing all around its perimeter. It is dedicated to Saint Isaac of Dalmatia, patron saint of Peter the Great.

The Coronation of Alexander II, planned for September 1856, was regarded as a diplomatic event of critical importance due to the recent conclusion of the Crimean War. A special diplomatic mission representing Queen Victoria was therefore sent to attend the ceremony. Led by Lord Granville, the party also included a photographer, Corporal Mack of the Royal Engineers, chosen to document the visit. This is one of the nineteen photographs that Mack personally presented to Queen Victoria on their return. The Queen described him as 'a remarkably intelligent, well educated young man'.