Kohlenmarkt

The city received this square as a liberty granted in 1342/43. From the 15th century onward it served the coal trade, and in 1473 the Dominik's Fair, previously held within the city walls, was relocated here. For this reason it was also called Dominiksplan. When in the 17th century the square came to lie within the fortifications due to the construction of the new ramparts, a flea market arose on its western side, called Große Vendet or Tagnete. The section directly adjoining the Arsenal was also temporarily called Erbsenmarkt (Pea Market). In 1933 the Kohlenmarkt was renamed Theaterplatz. This last renaming either never reached many Danzigers at all, or it was simply ignored. Neither in my family nor among acquaintances did I ever hear the name Theaterplatz. Only from a city map of 1939 did I learn that such a thing existed in my hometown. The Erbsenmarkt was still present in our family until 1978.