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Ancient architecture fascinates tourists and amazes historians. Unusual finds sometimes cannot find an explanation, and modern luminaries of science have only to guess about the purpose of this or that place. For example, many people still wonder why tiny streets were designed, along which a person sometimes cannot even walk. The walls between the nearest buildings are so close to each other that it is extremely difficult to squeeze between them.
Each such street deserves special attention, as it is often associated with a special history of creation. Yes, and their names come across very, very colorful.
Consider the TOP 10 uncomfortable streets of our planet, which have become the property of culture and history due to their unnatural width.
10 Spreuerhofstrasse | 0,31 m
One street name already attracts attention – try to pronounce it the first time! It tops our list, as at its narrowest point it barely exceeds 30 cm. To walk along it, a thin person needs to become sideways and squeeze between blank walls. This is extremely difficult to do during the rainy season, when the water flowing from the roofs of the houses moves along the gutter – and this is the entire width of the narrow section of the Spreuerhofstrasse. You literally have to wade through the space. Tourists scurry around the place every now and then to test their flexibility and at the same time take memorable shots. It’s funny, but the street is also limited by height, so tall travelers also need to lean slightly.
9. Parliament Street | 0,64 m
Someone very well joked, calling the tiny and nondescript street “parliamentary”, given that it has nothing to do with politics. This historical find appeared in the 14th century. It allows only one person to pass, and even a slender person with a moderate shoulder width. The length of the passage is only half a meter, and the width is just over 60 cm. At the beginning, the street had a more plausible name – Little, but then the famous English subtle humor turned it into a pompous “parliamentary” one. Tourists liked such a comedic maneuver.
8. Street Vinarne Chertovka | 0,7 m
The famous street is located in one of the quarters of Prague and has one-way traffic, and even then only for walking. For pedestrians, local authorities even placed traffic lights, because it will be difficult for two people of average build to disperse – 70 cm of the street will hardly allow it. Local residents tell a legend that such a narrow passage was laid for demons, and not for people. At that time (Middle Ages) it was believed that the devils calmly walked around the Czech Republic, but then they became uncomfortable among people and they allegedly gave way to them. In reality, it was erected to the “rank” of the street for commercial reasons, as it quickly leads to the promoted local restaurant “Devil”.
7. Fan Tan Alley | 0,89 m
In the city with the victorious name “Victoria”, which settled in the Canadian province, there is a small Chinatown. Fan Tan Alley, which is the narrowest in the entire territory of the States and Canada, modestly nestled there. Its narrowest place is a little short of 90 cm. Previously, it was a gambling zone, where there were noisy restaurants, shops, and opium sellers. Now the street is an entertaining tourist attraction, where local souvenir shops, a Chinese cafe, apartments and an interesting art gallery are located.
6. Lane Morten Trotzig | 0,9 m
A narrow street 90 centimeters wide is located in Stockholm. It is especially beautiful on it in the evening, when rare gas lamps are lit – an ideal place for romantic dates. Local residents are proud that the windows of their houses overlook such a venerable area. Its borders are multi-colored facades of houses – real architectural masterpieces. In the evening, at a certain time, you can observe a beautiful phenomenon when a ray of the setting sun briefly falls into the gap between the houses and illuminates a small alley. You can get really “dazzling” photos. The street has all the necessary attributes, despite its small width: its own name, full-fledged illumination, exit windows of residential buildings. And at the end of the path is a staircase with 36 steps.
5. Rosen street | 1,1 m
The passage with a beautiful name is a little more than a meter wide and is located in Riga. Locals joke that in medieval times two young ladies in magnificent dresses could not disperse in a narrow passage and started an argument over who should give way. Allegedly stubborn women are stuck forever, so if you open the pavement of the 17th century, you can find them continuing a heated argument. The street is named after the house of the local wealthy Mr. Rosen. In the Middle Ages, the oldest foundry in the capital was located here, producing high-quality bells and cannons. To this day, only wine warehouses have survived – dungeons with arches in the Gothic style, which now houses a popular restaurant decorated in a medieval style and offering delicious dishes according to an old recipe.
4. Strada Sforii | 1,11 – 1,35 m
The street is a landmark of the town of Brasov, a famous historical and economic site of Transylvania. It has an unspoken name – “Rope”, as the width ranges from 111-135 cm. The street originated in the 17th century and was used mainly for fire needs, so it has high-quality lighting from the very beginning.
3. Street of flies | 1,5 m
In vibrant Barcelona, not far from the local basilica and the shortest street, there is also the narrowest one. With a width of 1,5 meters, it deserves its name, since in such a small space it can be convenient to mainly insects. In 1991, local residents decided to raise funds and install a lockable door across the passage, just to isolate themselves from the unfortunate place. They can be understood – the alley regularly accommodates crowds of tourists who, without hesitation, relieve themselves away from human eyes.
2. Street cat fishing | 1,8 m
Graceful Paris is famous for its accuracy and moderation, so it is not surprising that it has a small street 29 meters long and up to 2 meters wide. Seine. Then the area changed several names: “bath street” and “Fox street”. According to local legend, it was inhabited by a canon in the 1540th century who kept a large black cat. The animal skillfully catches a fish with its paw right in the river. The students suspected the canon of devilry, and his cat was thrown into the Seine. However, both the man and his pet subsequently reappeared on the street, frightening the people – these are such passions.
1. Street of kisses | 2 m
With such a width, it’s no surprise that the secluded alley has become popular for secret and timid dates, kisses away from noisy crowds. A romantic street can be visited in Spain in the heart of the city of Seville. Nearby is a beautiful cathedral. The transition received a pleasant name due to the fact that young people could quickly run out to opposite balconies of residential buildings and touch their lips without the risk of being punished by their relatives.
These are the architectural masterpieces left to us by history. If you are in the above cities, then do not be too lazy to visit and see with your own eyes the narrowest streets in the world. Yes, after a hearty meal, some of them can be crowded.