Khislavichi is first mentioned in 1526. It belonged to Poland, and since the 18th centurymiasteczko Khislavichi was in Mstsislaw Voivodeship, Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. In 1772, as a result of the First Partition of Poland, it was transferred to the Russian Empire and included in its Mogilev Governorate. It belonged to Mstislavsky Uyezd. By the end of the 19th century, of the total population of 4,361, 3,642 were Jews and 739 were of Russian Orthodox faith. There were eight synagogues and two wooden churches. The settlement belonged to Saltykov Russian noble family. In 1919, Mogilev Governorate was abolished, and Mstislavsky Uyezd was transferred to Smolensk Governorate. On 3 March 1924, a half of Mstislavsky Uyezd was transferred to Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, and seven volosts, including Khislavichi, were left in Smolensk Governorate. On 12 July 1929, governorates and uyezds were abolished, and Khislavichsky District with the administrative center in the settlement of Khislavichi was established. The district belonged to Roslavl Okrug of Western Oblast. On August 1, 1930 the okrugs were abolished, and the districts were subordinated directly to the oblast. In 1935, Khislavichi was granted urban-type settlement status. On 27 September 1937 Western Oblast was abolished and split between Oryol and Smolensk Oblasts. Khislavichsky District was transferred to Smolensk Oblast. The German Army entered Khislavichi on July 16, 1941. 800 Jews of the town were resettled in a ghetto. In September or October 1941, 120 to 150 Jews were murdered in a mass execution. On March 20, 1942, the Russian police entered the ghetto. Under the command of the German Security Police, they killed all the Jews of the ghetto about 150 meters northwest of the town in a ditch near the localmachine and tractor station. In 1963, during the abortive Khrushchyov administrative reform, Khislavichsky District was merged into Monastyrshchinsky District. In 1965, it was re-established.
Economy
Transportation
Khislavichi is on a main road which connects Pochinok with Mstsislaw, where it continues to Orsha and Krychaw. In Khislavichi, another road branches northwest to Monastyrshchina. There are also local roads with bus traffic originating from Khislavichi. The closest railway station is in Pochinok. The Sozh is not navigable in Khislavichi.
