Sheksna is an urban locality (an urban-type settlement) and the administrative center of Sheksninsky District of Vologda Oblast, Russia, located along the left bank of the Sheksna River, from Vologda. Municipally, it is incorporated as Sheksninskoye Urban Settlement, one of the two urban settlements in the district. Population:

The selo of Nikolskoye was known since 1590. In the course of the administrative reform carried out in 1708 by Peter the Great, it was included into Ingermanland Governorate (known since 1710 as Saint Petersburg Governorate). In 1727, separate Novgorod Governorate split off. The area became part of Ustyuzhensky Uyezd of Belozersk Oblast of Novgorod Governorate. In 1776, the area was transferred to Novgorod Viceroyalty. In 1777, Cherepovetsky Uyezd was established, and the area was transferred to it. In 1796, the viceroyalty was abolished, and the area was transferred to Novgorod Governorate. Cherepovetsky Uyezd was abolished and merged into Ustyuzhensky Uyezd. However, in 1802 Cherepovetsky Uyezd was reestablished. In the early 19th century, the Mariinsky Canal system was constructed.