Theaterplatz

The city received this square as a liberty granted in 1342/43. From the 15th century it served the coal trade; 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 adjacent to the arsenal was also temporarily called Erbsenmarkt (Pea Market). In 1933 the Kohlenmarkt was renamed to Theaterplatz. This last renaming either never reached many Danzigers, or it was simply ignored. Neither in my family nor among acquaintances did I ever hear the name Theaterplatz. Only from a 1939 city map did I learn that such a thing existed in my hometown. The Erbsenmarkt was still present in our family's memory until 1978.