[1][2] It is known as the former seat of the Olshansky princely family and the location of the ruined Halshany Castle.

During the times of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth the town was in the hands of the Sapieha family, which constructed a castle there in early 17th century.

The town grew smaller with the devastations of the mid-17th century wars wrought in the Commonwealth.

During the French invasion of Russia, the vicinity was captured by the Franco-Polish troops on 30 June 1812.

It was recaptured by the Russian Imperial Army on 8 December of the sae year.