The area was populated since medieval times and was located on the waterways which connected
Novgorod and
Pskov with
Velikiye Luki. In the 15th century, the
pogost of
Vlitsy was founded. Also in the 15th century, the region was annexed by the
Grand Duchy of Moscow. In the course of the
administrative reform carried out in 1708 by
Peter the Great, it was included into Ingermanland Governorate (known since 1710 as
Saint Petersburg Governorate). In 1727, separate
Novgorod Governorate was split off, and in 1772,
Pskov Governorate (which between 1777 and 1796 existed as
Pskov Viceroyalty) was established. The area was a part of
Velikoluksky and
Kholmsky Uyezds of Pskov Governorate. On August 1, 1927, the uyezds were abolished and Loknyansky District was established, with the administrative center in the work settlement of Loknya. It included parts of former Velikoluksky and Kholmsky Uyezds. The governorates were abolished as well and the district became a part of
Velikiye Luki Okrug of
Leningrad Oblast. On June 17, 1929, the district was transferred to
Western Oblast. On July 23, 1930, the okrugs were also abolished and the districts were directly subordinated to the oblast. On January 29, 1935, the district was transferred to
Kalinin Oblast, and on February 5 of the same year, Loknyansky District became a part of Velikiye Luki Okrug of Kalinin Oblast, one of the okrugs abutting the state boundaries of the
Soviet Union. On May 11, 1937, the district was transferred to
Opochka Okrug. On May 4, 1938, the district was subordinated directly to the oblast. Between 1941 and 1944, Loknyansky District was occupied by
German troops. On August 22, 1944, the district was transferred to newly established
Velikiye Luki Oblast. On October 2, 1957, Velikiye Luki Oblast was abolished and Loknyansky District was transferred to Pskov Oblast. The district was abolished on February 1, 1963 but re-established on January 12, 1965. On August 1, 1927,
Troitsky District was established as well. It included parts of former Velikoluksky and Kholmsky Uyezds, and its administrative center was located in the
selo of
Troitsa-Khlavitsa. The district was a part of Velikiye Luki Okrug of Leningrad Oblast and was transferred to Western Oblast on June 17, 1929 with the rest of the okrug. In August 1930, the district was renamed Lovatsky. On September 20, 1930, the district was abolished and split between Kholmsky and Loknyansky Districts. Another district created on August 1, 1927 was
Rykovsky District with the administrative center in the
selo of
Skokovo. It included parts of former Velikoluksky and
Opochetsky Uyezds. The district was a part of Velikiye Luki Okrug of Leningrad Oblast. On June 17, 1929, the district was transferred to Western Oblast. On September 20, 1930, Rykovsky District was abolished and split between Nasvinsky, Loknyansky, Novosokolnichesky, and Pustoshkinsky Districts. On August 1, 1927
Nasvinsky District was also established, with the administrative center in the settlement of
Nasva. It included parts of former Velikoluksky Uyezd. The district was a part of Velikiye Luki Okrug of Leningrad Oblast. On June 17, 1929, the district was transferred to Western Oblast. On January 1, 1932, Nasvinsky District was abolished and split between Loknyansky, Velikoluksky, and Novosokolnichesky Districts. On June 1, 1936,
Ashevsky District with the administrative center in the
selo of
Chikhachyovo was established. It included parts of Bezhanitsky and Loknyansky Districts. The district was a part of Velikiye Luki Okrug of Kalinin Oblast. On May 11, 1937, the district was transferred to Opochka Okrug. On May 4, 1938, the district was directly subordinated to Kalinin Oblast. Between 1941 and 1944, Ashevsky District was occupied by
German troops. On August 23, 1944, it was included into newly established Pskov Oblast. On February 1, 1963, the district was abolished and merged into Bezhanitsky District. On March 10, 1945,
Podberezinsky District with the administrative center in the
selo of
Podberezye was established. It included parts of Loknyansky, Kholmsky, and
Ploskoshsky Districts. The district was a part of Velikiye Luki Oblast. On October 2, 1957, the district was transferred to Pskov Oblast. On January 14, 1958, the district was abolished and split between Kholmsky, Loknyansky, Velikoluksky, and Ploskoshsky Districts. ==Economy==