[5] In the second half of the 14th century, the Livonian Order built the Aizkraukle Castle, a few kilometres downstream from the ancient hillfort of Livs.

Before World War I, the settlement that stood near the site of modern-day Aizkraukle was known by its German name of Ascheraden.

The modern town was established in 1961 as a settlement to house the builders of the nearby hydroelectric power plant of Pļaviņas.

[citation needed] In 1990, it was renamed as Aizkraukle, after the nearest railway station.

"[6] General industries in the area include power generation, woodworking, printing, and agriculture.