page_title: Piteå
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Piteå / History
context_page_description: Piteå is a locality and the seat of Piteå Municipality in Norrbotten County, Sweden.
context_section_description: Piteå received its city privileges on 12 May 1621. The town was originally situated slightly north of its current location, in present-day Öjebyn. In July 1666, the entire town burnt down, and over the following few years it was rebuilt on Häggholmen, a small island which forms the nucleus of present-day Piteå. In 1721, the new town was burnt down by Russian troops during the Russian Pillage of 1719-1721, and the only building that remained was the church, which is still standing.
  The town square, where the town hall is located, has kept its structure from the 17th century. It is one of only two squares in Sweden with closed corners; the other one is in Uppsala.
  Piteå's population has increased rapidly since the 19th century. In the years 1870–1920, Piteå had a population of only 2,500 people. Part of the early population increase is attributed to the 1911 opening of the Älvsbyn-Piteå railway branch, as well as industrial establishments and the harbour.
  Piteå has traditionally had a strong forestry industry; papermills, sawmills, and its harbour are of some importance.
caption: The new town of Piteå, engraving made sometime between 1690 and 1710
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