Soltsy, whose name owes to the nearby salt water springs,[citation needed] was first mentioned in a chronicle in 1390 and in the following played an important role as an intermediate station on the trade route connecting Novgorod and Pskov.[3] In 1471, the Battle of Shelon between Muscovite forces led by Ivan III and the army of the Novgorod Republic took place near Soltsy, which marked the end of political independence of the Novgorod Republic.[3] Soltsy eventually became a part of the Moscow State.[3]
In August 1927, the uyezds were abolished and, effective October 1, 1927, Soletsky District was established, with the administrative center in Soltsy.[11] Pskov Governorate was abolished as well and the district became a part of Novgorod Okrug of Leningrad Oblast.[11] At the same time, Soltsy was granted town status.[citation needed] On July 23, 1930, the okrugs were abolished and the districts were directly subordinated to the oblast.[11] Between July 13 to 16, 1941 and again from July 22, 1941, to February 21, 1944, Soltsy was occupied by German troops.[12] On July 5, 1944, Soltsy, together with Soletsky District, was transferred to newly established Novgorod Oblast.[12]
The main branches of industry in Soltsy are electronic industry and food industry.[3]
Transportation
The railway connecting St. Petersburg and Nevel via Dno crosses the district from north to south, running close to Soltsy. The railway connecting Bologoye and Pskov via Staraya Russa crosses the southern tip of the district; however, there are no significant stations on this line within the district's territory.
The Shelon River is navigable downstream of Soltsy; however, there is no passenger navigation.
Culture
Soltsy contains one cultural heritage monument of federal significance and additionally fifty-one objects classified as cultural and historical heritage of local significance.[13] The federal monument is the St. Ilia Cathedral.
Soletsky District Museum is located in Soltsy. It exhibits collections of local interest.[14]
Military
A key strategic military base, Soltsy-2 is located northeast of the town.
Новгородская областная Дума. Областной закон №559-ОЗ от 11 ноября 2005 г. «Об административно-территориальном устройстве Новгородской области», в ред. Областного закона №730-ОЗ от 26 февраля 2015 г. «О внесении изменений в Областной закон "Об административно-территориальном устройстве Новгородской области"». Вступил в силу 1 января 2006 г. Опубликован: "Новгородские ведомости", №75, 23 ноября 2005 г. (Novgorod Oblast Duma. Oblast Law #559-OZ of November 11, 2005 On the Administrative-Territorial Structure of Novgorod Oblast, as amended by the Oblast Law #730-OZ of February 26, 2015 On Amending the Oblast Law "On the Administrative-Territorial Structure of Novgorod Oblast". Effective as of January 1, 2006.).
Администрация Новгородской области. Постановление №121 от 8 апреля 2008 г. «Об реестре административно-территориального устройства области», в ред. Постановления №408 от 4 августа 2014 г. «О внесении изменений в реестр административно-территориального устройства области». Опубликован: "Новгородские ведомости", №49–50, 16 апреля 2008 г. (Administration of Novgorod Oblast. Resolution #121 of April 8, 2008 On the Registry of the Administrative-Territorial Structure of Novgorod Oblast, as amended by the Resolution #408 of August 4, 2014 On Amending the Registry of the Administrative-Territorial Structure of Novgorod Oblast. ).
Новгородская областная Дума. Областной закон №284-ОЗ от 7 июня 2004 г. «О наделении сельских районов и города Великий Новгород статусом муниципальных районов и городского округа Новгородской области и утверждении границ их территорий», в ред. Областного закона №802-ОЗ от 31 августа 2015 г. «О внесении изменений в некоторые областные Законы, устанавливающие границы муниципальных образований». Вступил в силу со дня, следующего за днём официального опубликования. Опубликован: "Новгородские ведомости", №86, 22 июня 2004 г. (Novgorod Oblast Duma. Oblast Law #284-OZ of June 7, 2004 On Granting the Status of Municipal Districts and Urban Okrug of Novgorod Oblast to the Rural Districts and the City of Veliky Novgorod and on Establishing the Borders of Their Territories, as amended by the Oblast Law #802-OZ of August 31, 2015 On Amending Various Oblast Laws Establishing the Borders of the Municipal Formations. Effective as of the day following the day of the official publication.).
Новгородская областная Дума. Областной закон №399-ОЗ от 17 января 2005 г. «Об установлении границ муниципальных образований, входящих в состав территории Солецкого муниципального района, наделении их статусом городского и сельских поселений, определении административных центров и перечня населённых пунктов, входящих в состав территорий поселений», в ред. Областного закона №120-ОЗ от 3 октября 2012 г. «О внесении изменений в некоторые областные Законы, содержащие перечни населённых пунктов, входящих в состав территорий поселений». Вступил в силу со дня, следующего за днём официального опубликования. Опубликован: "Новгородские ведомости", №11–12, 26 января 2005 г. (Novgorod Oblast Duma. Oblast Law #399-OZ of January 17, 2005 On Establishing the Borders of the Municipal Formations Within the Territory of Soletsky Municipal District, on Granting Them the Status of Urban and Rural Settlements, on Establishing Their Administrative Centers, and on Compiling the Lists of Inhabited Localities Within the Settlement Territories, as amended by the Oblast Law #120-OZ of October 3, 2012 On Amending Various Oblast Laws Containing the Registries of the Inhabited Localities on the Territories of the Settlements. Effective as of the day following the day of the official publication.).