The street is mentioned in the historical sources of the 16th century. It seems that the northern part of the street, which led to the River Neris, was more important. Along the street there were wooden and stone houses, the remains of a large Gothic stone building of the second half of the 16th century were found, and in it relief niche tiles – an interior detail only found in affluent townspeople homes – were discovered. The street ended at the site of the contemporary Šv. Gertrūdos (St. Gertrude) Street, since the lowland that was flooded every year by the river started here, and parts of wooden riverbank enforcements were found. It is possible that the street was named after the horse or animal market, which might have operated in this place near the river. In the sources of the 16-19th century the street is indicated as “ulica Kobilja” (Mare Street), and “ulica Konska” (Horse Street).
Mindaugas Bertašius