Brotbänkengasse

In 1337, the lane is mentioned as "platea pistorum" (Bakers' Street), and from 1382 consistently as "platea panum" (Bread Street), in German Brotbänkengasse (Bread Stalls Lane). The Polish name Chlebnicka follows the same tradition (chleb = bread). By 1357, the lane must have already reached its present extent toward the waterfront, since the Große and Kleine Hosennähergasse (Greater and Lesser Trouser-Tailors' Lanes) were already inhabited at that time. In 1377/78, the gate leading to the water is also mentioned, though whether it already had its present form cannot be determined.

By the mid-15th century, the current gate structure certainly existed. This is evident both from the old Danzig coat of arms of the Teutonic era carved above the portal on the waterfront side – which, unlike the Frauentor and Häkertor, does not yet show the Polish crown – and from the lily above the pointed arch on the inner side. The lily served as a house sign, and after it the gate is called "Brotbenkendor alias de Lylie" (Bread Stalls Gate, also known as the Lily) in the ground-rent register of 1464.

In the opposite direction, the street name originally extended much farther than today. Until the 16th century, the present-day Jopengasse was usually counted as part of it, although its own name appears sporadically as early as 1449.

A similar situation applies to the so-called Schnüffelmarkt (Sniffing Market), which in 1796 encompassed the present-day Nos. 1–8 and 43–45 of Brotbänkengasse, as well as Nos. 28–39 and 41–45 of Jopengasse. The earliest mention I have found dates to 1574. Frischbier explains the name in his Prussian dictionary, citing Löschin, as a place where shovels or scoops (Schüffeln) were sold.

However, in the oldest Danzig municipal code from the mid-15th century, this area between Große Krämergasse and St. Mary's Church is designated by the otherwise unattested name "Mittelmarkt" (Middle Market). Article 137 stipulates: "The Middle Market before the church, held between Krämergasse and the church, shall be completely cleaned up; likewise, no fresh fish shall henceforth be sold there, especially on holy days before mealtime, other than cabbage." There was thus a food market here, which was at that time restricted to the sale of vegetables only.

In High German-speaking regions, such markets were called "Naschmarkt" (from "naschen," to nibble or snack), and the Low German equivalent "snopern" carries the same meaning. That the Schnüffelmarkt was indeed a vegetable market is confirmed by a small woodcut from 1601 hanging in the vestibule of the Artus Court, depicting three vegetable sellers with their carts. Beneath the heading "Langgarten Maids," the following verse appears: "The milk maids, cherry women and cabbage sellers go to sit upon the Schnüffelmarkt, bringing plenty of cabbage and turnips, always rustling and creaking, never still."