The Pokrovsky Men's Monastery was founded in the first half of the 16th century by the hieromonk Pafnuty. By 1544, it existed, as evidenced by a white stone slab found during excavations with this date. Various items from the destroyed necropolis of that time were also discovered. As was customary, a refectory and a bakery were arranged at the monastery. Before the revolution, the church was known for the 15th-century icon of the Mother of God Odigitria. In 1552, Ivan the Terrible officially recognized the monastery by issuing a charter. In the 16th century, the monastery acquired its own distillery, and salt producers made contributions, including shares in the income from pipes. The first Romanovs confirmed previous privileges and granted the monastery small estates. The fortress at the monastery housed a siege courtyard with the church of Leonty of Rostov. In the early 18th century, the monastery was wealthy, but soon became impoverished due to the decline of the salt industry, and in 1783 the monks dispersed, and the monastery was abolished, after which the Pokrovskaya church became parish. The monastery fence did not survive, as it was dilapidated even in the 19th century and was likely dismantled for bricks during the revolution. However, both churches, Nikolsky and Pokrovsky, have been well preserved to this day.

In 2012, for the 400th anniversary of the people's militia, the monastery was transferred to the diocese and restored.