Mentions of the town date back to 1496, when it was documented as Ilmanowa, a rural estate that belonged to members of the szlachta.

In 1520, ownership of the estate was passed from the Słupski family to Achacy Jordan, who subsequently established a judiciary.

[2] Limanowa became a township in 1565 after being granted city rights by King Sigismund II Augustus.

For thirty years, the residents were not required to pay taxes to the Crown, during which time the town rapidly developed.

The town began flourishing as a trading hub, hosting over eighteen markets yearly.