This narrow alley, branching off from Böttchergasse, was called "Kleine Kehrwiedergasse" (Little Turn-Back Lane) in 1776, and later simply Kehrwiedergasse. The name was used in the same sense as the older term "Kagelzippel" -- both served since the 17th century as designations for dead-end streets, meaning roughly "Turn back!" or "No way through!"

The name Kehrwiedergasse was also applied to Grosse Ölmühlengasse from 1511 to 1624, to the Mauergang around 1796, and to the Herrengarten in the 18th century until 1817.

After the war, the alley survived for a few more years under the Polish name ul. Zawrotna ("Turn-Around Lane") before disappearing during the redevelopment of the Old Town.

History