In 1597, Emperor Rudolf II granted permission to the Prague Castle guards to wall up nooks in the castle and establish chambers within the resulting niches. The guards built and financed the homes themselves, later buying and selling them amongst each other. Originally housing various castle employees, the homes were later rented to outsiders. Over time, additional structures like outbuildings and fireplaces expanded the homes into the narrow alley. By the 19th century, the alley had become so cramped it was barely a meter wide in places. Following renovation in 1864, only the homes along the northern wall remained.