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The Lovat River was a part of the trade route from the Varangians to the Greeks, one of the oldest trading routes passing through Rus'. Kholm was first mentioned in an 1144 chronicle as Kholmsky Pogost. It was completely destroyed during the Livonian War of 1580-1581, but founded again at the same location in the 18th century. In the course of the administrative reform carried out in 1708 by Peter the Great, the area was included into Ingermanland Governorate (known since 1710 as Saint Petersburg Governorate). In 1727, separate Novgorod Governorate was split off. Kholm was included into Velikiye Luki Province. In 1777, Kholm was chartered and became the seat of Pskov Viceroyalty (from 1796—of Pskov Governorate).