Povenetz was a district city of an Olonetz province in the XV-th century. It was formed from the settlement Povenetzkaya pier 1782.
Archeological reserves "Oronavolock" and "Chornaya guba" (the Black bay); a memorial complex in commemoration of the victims of Stalin’s repression "Sandarmoh" are located not far from the city.
The beginnind of Belomoro-Baltic Canal, a harbor.