Priozersky District (Russian: Приозе́рский райо́н) is a district (raion) of Leningrad Oblast, Russia. The area of the district is 3,597.57 square kilometers (1,389.03 sq mi).[1] Its administrative center is the town of Priozersk. District's population: 42,768 (2010 Census preliminary results);[2] 42,859 (2002 Census);[3] 40,231 (1989 Census).[4]
The district was settled by Karelians, who are the native people, approximately in AD 1st century. It was part of Kievan Rus principality from 9th century to 12th one. After dissolution of the principality, it was bound to the Novgorod Republic in 1143. Most Karelians were converted to the Russian Orthodox faith during Russian rule. Russians built a fortress of Korela, where nucleus of Priozersk. The fortress was frequently ravaged by the Swedish, especially in 1142, 1226 and 1228 during the First Swedish Crusade. According to the Treaty of Nöteborg, it was part of Novgorodian side. However, Korela Fortress was taken by Magnus Eriksson in 1337 during Swedish-Novgorodian Wars. Novgorodians responded by besieging Vyborg fortress, where founded in 1393, and seized Korela in 1338.
Novgorod Republic was demolished by Muscovy, who evolved to Tsardom of Russia, in 1478 and it was part of Muscovy. Sweden occupied Korela in 1578 during Livonian War and kept it by Treaty of Plussa, which was signed in 1583. However, Muscovy seized it in 1595 and regained by Treaty of Tyavzino. Korela occupied again by Swedishs in 1611 and regained by Treaty of Stolbovo in 1617. Korela was renamed as "Kexholm" and was center of Kexholm in Swedish Finland. Russians tried to retake it in 1656 but they failed in Russo–Swedish War (1656–1658). Kexholm and most of the county finally occupied by Russians in 1711 during Great Northern War and most of it with Kexholm regained by Treaty of Nystad, which was signed in 1721. Kexholm was renamed by Russians as "Keksgolm" and was part of Saint Petersburg Governorate until 1744. The region was united with Russia's gains in Hats' Russian War and formed Vyborg Governorate, who was also called "Old Finland" in 1744. Kegsholm was a uyezd in the governorate. The northernmost regions of the former Kexholm county remained in Swedish possession until the Finnish war of 1808–1809.
Vyborg Governorate was incorporated with the Grand Duchy of Finland, who was part of Tsardom of Russia in 1812. The region was part of Viipuri Province as "Kegsholm uzeyd" between 1812-1917. Finland gained autonomy after February Revolution and declared independence from Russia after October Revolution. The district wasn't affected from Finnish Civil War in 1918.
The district was divided into municipalities of Käkisalmi (including rural parts), Sakkola, Metsäpirtti, Räisälä, Vuoksela, Kaukola, Pyhäjärvi, Rautu, Valkjärvi and some parts of Kirvu and Vuoksenranta municipalities during Finnish rule.
South of the district had strongly fight zone, especially Taipale. Only Rautu and Metsäpirtti municipalities were occupied by USSR during Winter War but the district was ceded to USSR according to Moscow Peace Treaty in 1940. It was recovered by Finland during Continuation War but USSR taken back it in 1944. According to Moscow Armistice and Paris Peace Treaties, it completely ceded to USSR. Nearly all of Finnish residents evacuated to the district. It was repopulated by Russians, Ukrainians and Belarussians. Place names were renamed in 1948 for cleansing of Finnish names in the district.