The historic centre of Nový Jičín is well preserved and is protected by law as an urban monument reservation.

Another theory derives the name from the Slavic word for 'wild boar' dik (Dičín, later amended to Jičín).

The town is situated on the Jičínka River, at its confluence with the streams Zrzávka, Grasmanka and Rakovec.

[3] Žerotínský Castle was originally part of the town fortifications, the construction of which began in the 1380s and continued in the early 16th century.

[3] In the 19th century, the Jewish population returned to the town and large textile factories were established.

The hatter industry has flourished and Nový Jičín is still today called the "town of hats".

[10][11] The largest employer with headquarters in the town is Hanon Systems Autopal, a manufacturer of refrigeration and air conditioning components for the automotive industry.

The town lies about 8 km (5 mi) from the station on the high-speed railway line in Suchdol nad Odrou.

[13] The historic core of Nový Jičín is a Renaissance-Baroque town with a pure example of medieval urbanism of the second half of the 13th century.

[15] In a historic house where general Ernst Gideon von Laudon died in 1790 is the tourist information centre and an exposition of the hat-making tradition of Nový Jičín.