There is evidence of prehistoric settlements in many areas of the Czech Republic. The area where Prague is today is thought to have served as an important crossroads for trading as early as Paleolithic times. The area was intermittently populated by Celtic and Germanic tribes until around the end of the fifth century when it was settled by Slavic tribes. There are legends accompanying the founding of Prague, especially that of Princess Libuse and her plowman husband, Premysl. Premysl and Libuse founded Bohemia's First Dynasty known as the Przemyslid dynasty.
During the reign of the Przemyslid dynasty, the Czech state became stronger and maintained its sovereignty. During the ninth century, a wooden fortress was built in the district known today as Vysehrad on the east bank of the Vltava river and then another wooden fortress was built on the Hradcany heights on the western bank of the river. In the next few centuries, these wooden fortresses were replaced with stone. Across the river from the Hradcany fortress, which is usually known as the castle, an area called Staré Mesto, or Old Town, was built. In the latter half of the thirteenth century, Malá Strana, or Lesser Quarter, was founded below the castle on the west bank of the Vltava River.

Return to History Page or Continue with Prague's History