The lane is first mentioned in 1357 without a name of its own, as a "cross-lane near the Mottlau" (twergasse circa Mutilavam), and in 1377/78 as a "cross-lane toward the fish market" (twergasse versus forum piscium). It has borne the name Petersiliengasse (Parsley Lane, then spelled "Petercziliengasse") since 1415.

The name also appears in other cities, such as Stettin, where the corresponding lane allegedly had a poor reputation. In Danzig, however, there is no evidence of any such character. On the contrary, the entire neighborhood was shaped by the food trade -- the fish market, Häkergasse, and Neunaugengasse lay in the immediate vicinity. The name therefore undoubtedly points to a lane where greengrocers lived and sold their wares.

History