Archeological researches show that during copper era (900 - 700 b.c.) settlement in Oliva area was very big.

The first information about Oliva comes from year 1186 and regards the settlement of Cysterian monks, who came from Kolbacz in Pomerania to Oliva. Sambor I invited the monks and gave them the land at Oliva stream, that time called Olawa.

The beginning of the convent was very difficult. They became rich later by monks' activities and inventions as well as by rich donors. It helped to build not only the convent but also monumental church. They were built for centuries and in 16th century they were finished.

Prussians forayed Olva two times, Teutonic knights four times, burning, raping and destroing everything. The convent was also plundered by Husits.

After Swedish invasions in 1626 i 1656 and their defeat during sea battle near Oliva, the peace treaty so called "Oliva Peace" between Poland and Sweden was signed in Oliva.

Napoleon's army came to Oliwa in 1807. They organised the hospital in the convent's building. Napoleon slept at one of the houses in Pelonken near Oliva. That time Oliva became a part of Free City of Gdansk founded by Napoleon.

There were about 1000 citizens in Oliva in 1831, in 1919 there were 11 times more!. In 1926 Oliva became a part of Frei Stadt Danzig.