Lintgasse (original) (raw)

Lintgasse at Alter Markt; left: Gaffel Brewhouse

looking towards Fischmarkt; right: Lintgasse 8-14

Lintgasse is an alley (German: Gasse) in the Old town of Cologne, Germany between the two squares of Alter Markt and Fischmarkt. It is a pedestrian zone and only some 130 metres long, nevertheless famous for its medieval history.

The Lintgasse was first mentioned in the 12th century as »_in Lintgazzin_«, which may have derived from basketmakers described, weaving fish baskets out of Linden tree barks. These craftsmen were called »_Lindslizer_«, meaning Linden splitter. During the Middle Ages, the area was also known as »platēa subri« or »platēa suberis«, meaning street of Quercus suber.

Lintgasse 8 to 14 used to be homes of medieval knights as still can be seen by signs like »_Zum Huynen_«, »_Zum Ritter_« or »_Zum Gir_«. At Lintgasse 15 once stood the Parish of St. Brigiden, which became an elementary school during the 19th century. During this time, the Lintgasse was called »Stink-Linkgaß«, as the alley was unpopular for its poor air quality.

Lintgasse 9 has a passage to the nearby Great St. Martin Church. On the corner of Alter Markt and Lintgasse stands the listed Gaffel-Haus »_Zur Brezel_«. The brewhouse is a 7-storey Dutch Renaissance townhouse, built in 1213 but substantially extended in 1580. The building was a significant place in the history of Cologne and only converted into a beer house in the late 19th century.

Look up Gasse in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

50°56′17″N 6°57′41″E / 50.93806°N 6.96139°E / 50.93806; 6.96139