Amidst the dense forest greenery rises the Sofroniev-Molchansky Pechersky Monastery, known for its spiritual heritage and majestic architecture. The foundation of the monastery is linked to the adoption of Christianity in Rus under Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavich. It is believed that the monastery was founded by monks who fled from the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra after the Mongol-Tatar invasion in 1240. They found refuge in the forests on a hill later called "Chudnaya Gora," near the swamp "Molche," which gave its name to the future Molchanskaya Desert. Initially, the monks dug caves for prayer, and then began to build the monastery.

During the time of Prince Alexander-Olgerd, there was already a well-established monastery under the guidance of Archimandrite Philaret. However, by the end of the 14th century, it fell into decline due to the invasion of the Crimean Tatars. On September 18, 1405, one of the locals discovered an icon of the Holy Virgin on "Chudnaya Gora," surrounded by radiance. This event marked the beginning of the church's construction at this site. Soon after, the Putivl clergy and authorities received permission from the metropolitan and the Moscow prince to build a church.

By the end of the 16th century, a temple belonging to the Molchanskaya Desert was built in Putivl. In 1591, Igumen Pafnutiy acquired a plot of land in Putivl, where he built a church. In 1602, the construction of a new monastery began, which soon became an independent Putivl Monastery. In 1592, the Crimean Tatars once again devastated the surroundings, including the Molchanskaya Desert. In 1605, the monastery was looted by the Poles, and all its valuables were transferred to the Putivl Monastery.

By 1605, the Molchanskaya Desert was effectively abolished, and its urban courtyard became an independent monastery. A wooden church was built on the site of the desert, later replaced by a stone temple. In 1656, Elder Sofroniy became the abbot, who revived the monastery and achieved its independence. His successors continued to develop the monastery, building new churches and buildings.

Under Archimandrite Theodosius Maslov, the monastery experienced a flourishing period. Theodosius, originally from Glukhov, was an energetic and enterprising man. He secured new lands for the monastery and built monastic cells and a church on them. The monastery housed several churches, a bell tower with a library, and other buildings.

With the advent of Soviet power, many churches were destroyed, including the Sofroniev Desert. In 1919, the monastery was looted, and in 1920, it was abolished. A children's home was established on its territory, and later, a concentration camp and partisan headquarters. In the post-war years, the monastery was finally destroyed, and its materials were used for the construction of economic facilities.

In 1999, monks returned to the ruins of the monastery and began to restore the cells and churches. In 2001, the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, known for its miraculous power, returned to the monastery.