 In July 1666, the entire town burnt down, and over the following few years it was rebuilt on "Häggholmen", a small island which forms the nucleus of present-day Piteå.In 1721, the new town was burnt down by Russian troops during the Russian Pillage of 1719-1721, and the only building that remained was the church, which is still standing.The town square, where the town hall is located, has kept its structure from the 17th century.