Rotava was established in the mid-16th century near iron ore fields in the valley of the Rotavský Creek. The company Rotas Strojírny, Ltd continues in the tradition of the iron ore mines and quarries, ore crushing plants, hammer mills, charcoal heaps, smelteries and important ironworks, steelworks and rolling mills. On the site of a former steel plant, the company PBS, Ltd produces flood barrier systems. The town of Rotava (Rothau) was established in the 19th century by uniting several settlements. In 1930, it had 3,711 inhabitants and today its population numbers 3,450.