Death, fire, and debt

Despite frequent crises such as epidemics, fires, and economic downturns—occurring every two to five years in late medieval Warsaw—the city experienced sustained economic growth. This resilience stemmed from its strategic position as a major trade hub, long-distance commerce (including timber and grain rafting), and its role as the ducal capital of Mazovia. While crises slowed development, they did not prevent population or economic expansion when recovery factors were strong enough. The study highlights how post-crisis rebounds, often within months to a year, sustained Warsaw's growth trajectory, contrasting with periods of stagnation where such prospects were absent.

Łozowski, P. (2023). Death, fire, and debt. Pre-Modern Towns at the Times of Catastrophes, 104–119. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003323587-9