While on a walk through Lübeck, one might easily miss these little hidden living quarters at the "Gangviertel"! You ought to be cautious and watch you head when you pass the little alleyways leading to the court with the tiny houses, which are narrowly strung together at the back of the historical merchant houses or in the inner courtyards of some blocks of flats. They served as accommodation for Lübeck workers with their somewhat large families. There was very little room in the narrow houses, and the smallest of them - at Hartengrube No. 36 - only had a front length of 3.45 m, a breadth of 4.65 m and a height of 4.95 m. Of the 180 alleys with living quarters, which were erected by the end of the 17th century, there are still about 90 left today, some of which are still inhabited. They radiate the charm of a quiet little island in the midst of Lübeck´s town life. They are to be found across the entire old town area.