Already at the end of the 14th century Gottleuba was a center for mining: mainly iron, silver and copper. The last silver mine was closed in 1889. In 1463, Gottleuba received town privileges. In the 16th century, Gottleuba developed guilds with special commercial laws (for example, holding of spring and autumn markets and grant of weekly markets). Wars, disease, large town fires in 1746 and 1865 and the flood disasters of 1552, 1897 and 1927 and 1957 again brought considerable setbacks to the city.