Pakruojis and it neighbourhood are within the boundaries of the inhabited area of the Semigallian tribe.

Landowners von Ropp,[1] who owned Pakruojis Manor from the beginning of 19th century, had a great influence on the development of the city.

In July and August, 1941, German soldiers with the help of local white armbanders massacred a total of 400 Jews from Pakruojis district in the nearby Morkakalnis forest.

[3] It is the largest and the oldest of the wooden synagogues that survives in Lithuania, but had been in deteriorating condition for a long time.

[4] On May 3, 2009 the synagogue suffered severe damage in a possible arson fire,;[5][6] it underwent restoration 2014–2016 and was reopened in May 2017.