First, the buildings Bishop's residence were made of wood, and the yard was enclosed by a wooden fence and some gates. In the mid-17th century over the gate was built Translata house Church. By the mid-17th century residence of the bishops appeared everything needed for diocesan administrative centre of the room. There were "official", "cross", the Bishop's chambers, "sticky" Church, "portal" cottage and numerous outbuildings. All these wooden buildings more than once rebuilt, as evidenced by documentary archives, for example, by scribe Vologda book 1627.

At the end of the 1650-ies appeared first stone building, which belonged to the bishops ' home, – the Treasury, housed in treasuries and Treasury cell. A second stone building of the diocesan court has received the name of Simon's Palace or the houses that have single-headed flue the Church of the Nativity. The building was named in honor of Archbishop Simon whose life and he was built for 1669-1671,. Throughout the 17th – first half of the 18th century the Simon block was considered the most luxurious building of the Bishop's residence, as well as all Vologda. Later built outbuildings only distorted not only external but also the internal appearance of this structure of. According to the results of the restoration of the 1960-ies in some way was partially restored pre-existing luxurious architectural appearance of the building facades. Even now the Simon block is considered a unique example of civil architecture of the second half of the 17th century.

Immediately after it was built the Bishop's court, he was surrounded by high walls made of stone, which are inherently associated with a number of outbuildings located. Surprisingly high wall with battlements and walkways on the inner side resembles a fortress, although never attacked by enemy troops. This kind of attributes serf architecture carried a purely symbolic character. The construction of such strong walls was caused only by the ideological tasks of worship and honoring of the Church and Bishop. The front elevation and extensive residences for spiritual authorities is particularly typical of the late 17th century.

With time in the Bishop's courtyard appeared to all new buildings and overbuild and remade the same. Most of the buildings inside the courtyard are closely associated with the walls creates the illusion of a unified whole and is of great interest from the point of view of unique samples preserved 17th century.

In the late 17th - early 18th century, a new building – Gabriel's Palace building, which is on the South side adjacent to the Archbishop's chambers. Shortly after its construction, in the Eastern part of the courtyard was built and functionally significant building – the Nameless building, which housed the Treasury and Treasury cell. Gabriel's Palace in the 17th century the building was renamed in Irenaeus's Palace.

In 1740-ies appeared and stone single storey store rooms, located perpendicular to Simonovsky the body. Consequently, the body was heavily modified, which affected the facade of the building had previously been shaped frames.

Thus, all architecture, participating in the ensemble, has played a very important role in the harmonious way bishops court. In addition, in this architectural ensemble can be seen and an amazing mix of architectural styles related three centuries. At the moment, in the former Bishop yard has two entrances: one is located in the Northern part of the stone fence leading to the Consistorial court, and the second is the span between the bell tower and the Cathedral of the resurrection.