During the Middle Ages, it was first part of the Patriarchate of Aquileia, and later of Tolmin County, before being included in the Habsburg monarchy in the 15th century, like the majority of Slovene-speaking territories.

With the exception of a brief period between 1809 and 1813, when it was included under the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy, it remained under the Austrian rule until 1918.

Between 1922 and 1943, the Kobarid area, which had an exclusively Slovene-speaking population, was submitted to a policy of violent Fascist Italianization.

The area was retaken by German forces in early November 1943, who remained until May 1945 and the arrival of the Yugoslav People's Army.

Several hundred inhabitants, especially from the Breginj area, chose emigration to Italy rather than becoming citizens of a communist state.