Nowy Korczyn (New Korczyn) was established in 1258, near the old prince’s town in Stary Korczyn (Old Korczyn). It was an important trade center on the way from Cracow to Sandomierz, for those taking part in the rafting of corn on the Vistula River. It was owned by the king. After Cracow, it was the most important authority center in Poland. The royal court very often stayed in Korczyn. Later, in 1300, Ruthenians robbed the town and burnt the wooden royal castle down. Under the ruling of Casimir the Great, a stone castle was erected, surrounded by a moat. In 1439. a confederation of Polish Hussites was organized but later broken up in the battle of Grotniki. 1474, the town was destroyed by a fire.

In 1606, Nowy Korczyn was robbed during the Zebrzydowski’s Rebellion. A considerable part of the town was destroyed by a fire in 1607. Additionally, the town was plundered by Swedes. The town was further damaged by Cossacks and Hungarians. During the northern war in 1702, the town was burned down for the second time.

In 1795, Nowy Korczyn was annexed by Austria, in 1809 it became a part of the Great Duchy of Warsaw and then the Polish Kingdom, by 1815.

Great fires in 1855 and 1857 destroyed the town. In 1869, tsarist authoritis deprived Nowy Korczyn of its city charter.

In 1914, during WWI, Polish legions took part in a battle near Korczyn.

In September of 1939, Nazis took Korczyn, despite the active presence of Polish partisan troops.