The territory of the modern district was originally settled by Karelians around the 1st century CE. It was a part of the Kievan Rus' from the 9th to 12th century. After that, it was a part the Novgorod Republic. Most Karelians were converted to the Russian Orthodox faith during Russian rule. Russians built the fortress of Korela, which was a nucleus of modern Priozersk. The territory passed hands many times during the 16th and 17th centuries between Russians and Swedish, until it was finally claimed by Russians in 1711 during the Great Northern War. During Swedish rule in the area, the town was known by its Swedish name "Kexholm", which in Russian became "Keksgolm". In the 18th century, it was a part of Saint Petersburg Governorate, and later of Vyborg Governorate, which in 1812 was included in the newly created Grand Duchy of Finland as its Viipuri Province. It became part of independent Finland, when the former Grand Duchy declared its independence in December 1917. During the Interwar Period, the location was known by its Finnish and Swedish names; "Käkisalmi" (Finnish) and "Kexholm" (Swedish).