Via dell'Inferno was the main artery where many twisted streets ended: via de' Giudei, vicolo di S. Giobbe, vicolo Mandria, via del Carro and via Valdonica.

This wide area was closed between two gates, the first one at the entrance of via de' Giudei and the second one in the present via Oberdan (once called via Cavaliera) where an arch looks onto vicolo Mandria. Some of these names are still being discussed (via Valdonica, vicolo Luretta, via del Carro).

The name of via dell'Inferno probably comes from being a dark and dangerous street.