Lawendelgasse

In the inheritance register, the lane has been called "twergasse ante monachos" (cross-lane before the monks) since 1357, after the Dominican monastery occupying one side of the street. From 1763 onward, maps show the name "Lawendelgasse" (Lavender Lane) or "Große Lawendelgasse" (Great Lavender Lane), to distinguish it from today's Zweite Priestergasse, then called "Kleine Lawendelgasse" (Little Lavender Lane). Since the latter designation was already in use in the 17th century, it can be assumed that the name existed considerably longer for today's Lawendelgasse than documentary evidence can prove.

The name belongs to the same group as Rosengasse, Rosmaringasse, and Liliengasse — all originally ironic names for foul-smelling, dirty streets. It is no coincidence that the Buttelgasse, where the knacker (animal carcass remover) lived, was located in the immediate vicinity of the two Lawendelgassen in the Rechtstadt.

These mostly secluded lanes often had a dubious reputation with respect to their female inhabitants. However, nothing unfavorable in this regard has been recorded about the Rechtstadt's Lawendelgasse or the Zweite Priestergasse. The Old Town's Lawendelgasse, today's Jungferngasse (Maiden Lane), is another matter: there are strong suspicions, given the alternative name "Jungferngasse" already used in the 17th century. Here too, however, the original name ultimately derives from the lane's filthy condition.