History

• Koprivnice was founded in the second half of the 13th century below Sostyn castle. The fact that Koprivnice is situated in the so-called Moravian Gate, a significant trade route linking the Baltic and the Mediterranean Sea, is proof that in the past this region was known for its strategic trading location.

• The founding of a factory, in 1853, where coaches and wagons were made marked Koprivnice’s growing importance as a manufacturing centre. The first passenger car in the former Austro-Hungarian Empire (the „Präsident“) was built there in 1897. More recently the famous Tatra cars and trucks were manufactured in the town.
• The building of the first car was not only an important milestone in the history of the company, but also for the town. The historical importance of it reached far beyond the borders of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
• Koprivnice retained its village-like character for a long time. However, by 1948 the number of inhabitants had risen to 5,369, at which point in time Koprivnice acquired its town status.
• The post-war development and growth of the town has been so dramatic in its importance that it overshadowed the entire history of the area going back many centuries. The growth of the population when compared to the 6,000 inhabitants in 1950 increased dramatically and by 1995 it had reached 24,500.
• This growth was attributable to Koprivnice’s growing importance as a major manufacturing centre. A corresponding increase in housing construction, public services and service industries have kept pace with population growth and rising levels of business activity.