The Solovetsky Monastery was founded in the 15th century and quickly became one of the most influential Orthodox monasteries in Russia. The islands were administered by the monastery until the October Revolution in 1917. Formally, they belonged to Archangelgorod Governorate (1708-1780), Vologda Viceroyalty (1780-1796), and Arkhangelsk Governorate (1796-1929). In 1929, the islands were included into newly established Northern Krai as an island territory (not a part of any district).