Znamensky monastery in Irkutsk - one of the oldest monasteries in Siberia. The construction of the monastery, consecrated in honor of the Holy virgin, began with the diploma that was given to the Metropolitan of Siberia and Tobolsk Paul in 1689, the Church decided to build near Irkutsk fortress, on the right coast of Angara river estuary IDA (now the river Ushakovka). The organizer and Manager of the construction work was made by a local resident Vlas Sidorov. Thanks to his efforts, to 1693, was built the first wooden Church, which was not only a monastery but also a parish.

Wooden Church rapidly fell into decay. Therefore, in 1757, was laid a stone Church in honor of the Signs of the Mother of God. The temple was built with funds donated by the Irkutsk merchant Ivan Behaving. The monastery was built long enough. Its aisles are consistently completed and consecrated starting from 1762 to 1794, In 1797, was built by the Abbot, and in 1858 to it were added the second floor. The construction of monastic cells along the North side of the monastery in 1818, was engaged in merchant.With. Chupalov. He donated the necessary amount of money required in their construction. The second temple - in the name of STS. Demetrius and Tryphon was also erected and consecrated in 1818.

At the end of the second half of the NINETEENTH century Znamensky monastery was a large economic education. In 1872, when the monastery opened a hospital for monks. In 1889, it began to be exemplary school female spiritual College. In addition, the monastery also worked as a hospice, and some time later officially founded the school for girls who were taught Church singing, reading literacy, parochial school and shelter for children.

In 1926 Irkutsk the monastery was closed. Znamensky Church became the parish Church. In 1929, it received the status of Cathedral. In 1936 the Church was closed and later was placed in it aircraft repair workshops. In 1945, the Cathedral was returned to the Church, after which he again became a Cathedral.

The life of the monastery was revived in 1994, To date, of the monastic buildings remained only the Church, the Holy gate, Dean's cells and monastic enclosure.