The area was a part of Porkhovsky, Pskovsky, and Ostrovsky Uyezds of Pskov Governorate.

On August 1, 1927, the uyezds were abolished, and Porkhovsky District was established, with the administrative center in the town of Porkhov.

The governorates were abolished as well, and the district became a part of Pskov Okrug of Leningrad Oblast.

[9] On August 1, 1927, Slavkovsky District was established as well, with the administrative center in the selo of Slavkovichi.

[13] On August 1, 1927, Vyborsky District was also established, with the administrative center in the village of Vybor.

[14] In April 1946, Pavsky District with the administrative center in the selo of Pavy was established.

[16] The main agricultural specializations in the district are milk and meat production (cattle and swine breeding) as well as growing of crops, flax, potatoes, and vegetables.

[17] A railway connecting Bologoye and Pskov via Staraya Russa crosses the district from east to west.

The main roads within the district connect Porkhov with Pskov, with Ludoni (providing access to M20 highway), with Bezhanitsy, and with Veliky Novgorod via Soltsy.

[18] The federally protected monuments include the Porkhov Fortress, three archeological sites, and a number of churches.

[19] Within 17 kilometers (11 mi) from Porkhov, on the bank of the Shelon River, is the Neoclassical manor of Princes Gagarin located in the village of Kholomki.

In the early 1920s, Kholomki hosted an art colony that was frequented by Korney Chukovsky, Vladislav Khodasevich, Yevgeny Zamyatin, and Mstislav Dobuzhinsky.