In the 13th century, it was claimed by the rulers of Pinsk, who built a tower in Chortoryisk resembling the Bela Vezha in Kamieniec.

On 26 August 1431 a truce was signed at Chortoryisk between the forces of Poland and Lithuania, bringing to an end the brief Lutsk War between the two.

Staryi Chortoryisk was site of a major battle between the Russian and German army in World War I.

Staryi Chortoryisk had a large Jewish population until World War I, when most of them fled to escape the fighting between the German and Russian army.

Among the prominent natives is the economist Rose Friedman (wife of Nobel Prize winner economist Milton Friedman), along with her brother, Law Professor Aaron Director who left for Oregon USA around 1913.