[1]The territory that comprises the modern Southern Administrative Okrug attracted settlers from time immemorial, even in spite of the fact that it had historically been an unsafe area.

The first one was the Danilov Monastery, founded in 1271 by Prince Daniel of Moscow.

In 1593, the Donskoy Monastery was established to commemorate the victory over Khan Kazi-Girey.

Urban development of the area began in the 16th–17th centuries, at which time the Kolomenskoye architectural ensemble was also built.

The Ascension Church in particular is listed by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.