The area is remarkable for being a location of the Battle of the Sit River, which took place in 1238 at the Sit, close to the current selo of Bozhonka, between the advancing Mongols and the army under command of Yuri Vladimirovich, a prince of Vladimir. The Mongols won, and Prince Yuri died in combat. Since 1247, the area was a part of Principality of Tver, and in the 14th century, together with Tver, was annexed by the Grand Duchy of Moscow. From the 17th century, Tver Karelians settled in the area.