In a lot of ancient cities you can find alleys.Often hidden and only know by a few. A quiet place in a crowded city.
They exist by a law of passing through.
In those days you be allowed to walk over someone land to get to the church . When the bult them with houses the passage remain
,as small as possible .This picture is made in Goes [Holland]
founded in +/- 1200 The church in the back is bult in 1423.