Most of its territory lies in the Opava Hilly Land within the Silesian Lowlands, but it also extends to the Nízký Jeseník range in the southeast and northwest.

The highest point of the municipal territory is Hůrka at 530 m (1,740 ft) above sea level.

[13] After the majority of Silesia was annexed by the Kingdom of Prussia during the War of the Austrian Succession after 1740, the remaining Silesian territory still under the control of the Habsburg monarchy became known as Austrian Silesia, with its capital in Opava (1742–1918).

The census asked people for their native language, which showed that 27,240 (92%) were German-speaking, 2,039 (6.9%) were Czech-speaking and 274 (0.9%) were Polish-speaking.

On 22 April 1945, Opava was liberated by the Soviet Red Army at the cost of enormous war damage.

In 1945–1946, the German population was expelled under terms of Beneš decrees and the city was resettled with Czechs.

[13] While the Duchy of Opava has ceased to exist, the title of Duke of Troppau continues, with Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein being the current incumbent.

[13] The largest company is Teva Czech Industries, a manufacturer of medicinal products, whose predecessor was founded in Opava in 1883.

One of the two main landmarks of Opava is the city hall on the Horní Square and its white tower, known as Hláska.

However, the less representative town hall building around the tower was demolished in 1902 and replaced with a new one in the Neo-Renaissance style.

It is the largest building in the Czech Republic built in the so-called Silesian Brick Gothic style.