How did trade routes help Prague grow in its early history?

Prague’s early growth was fundamentally shaped by its geography, as the site was situated at the intersection of trade routes connecting northern and southern Europe. These natural advantages allowed the city to flourish as a commercial hub under the protection of the Přemyslid dynasty, which consolidated a political base that secured the region.1

By the 10th century, the settlement was already recognized as a busy trading centre. This economic momentum continued into the medieval period, as evidenced by the development of a market centre on the right bank of the Vltava River. The construction of the Judith Bridge in 1170 further facilitated this expansion, leading to the formal establishment of the Old Town by 1230. By the 14th century, Prague had evolved into a major central European city, bolstered by foreign merchants—particularly from Germany and Italy—and the use of currency minted at Kutná Hora, which served as the region's hard currency.12