The Kornhausplatz is a plaza in the

Old City of Bern The Old City (german: Altstadt) is the medieval city center of Bern, Switzerland. Built on a narrow hill bordered on three sides by the river Aare, its compact layout has remained essentially unchanged since its construction during the twelfth ...

, the medieval city center of Bern, Switzerland. It is on the edge of the

Zähringerstadt The Zähringerstadt is a historic section in the Old City of Bern in Bern, Switzerland. The first expansion of Bern occurred as the city was founded in 1191. This central and oldest neighbourhood was known as the ''Zähringerstadt'' ( Zähri ...

which was built during the founding of the city in 1191, though the plaza wasn't built until later. It is located near the Kornhausbrücke (''Kornhaus'' bridge) and the

Zytglogge The Zytglogge (Bernese German: ; ) is a landmark medieval tower in Bern, Switzerland. Built in the early 13th century, it has served the city as guard tower, prison, clock tower, centre of urban life and civic memorial. Despite the many re ...

clock tower. It is part of the

UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...

Cultural

World Heritage Site A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...

that encompasses the Old City.

History

Kornhausplatz was originally the ditch around the first city wall. Following the Great Fire of 1405 the ditch (known as the ''Steininbrügg-Graben'') was filled in to form a plaza. For about three centuries, it was known as ''Platz'' (literally: plaza or place). In 1545 or 1546 the ''

Kindlifresserbrunnen The Kindlifresserbrunnen (, Swiss German for "Child-Eater Fountain") is a painted stone fountain at the '' Kornhausplatz'' (Granary Place) in Bern, Switzerland. It is one of the Old City of Bern's fountains from the 16th century. It was created ...

'' (

Bernese German Bernese German (Standard German: ''Berndeutsch'', gsw, Bärndütsch) is the dialect of High Alemannic German spoken in the Swiss plateau (Mittelland) part of the canton of Bern and in some neighbouring regions. A form of Bernese German is spoke ...

for ''Child Eater Fountain'') was built by Hans Gieng in place of a wooden fountain on the ''Platz''. Originally it was known as ''Platzbrunnen'' (Place Fountain), though the current name was used first in 1666. In 1711-1715 the ''Kornhaus'' (

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) ** Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ge ...

for ''granary'') was built on the western side of the ''Platz''. Following construction of the Kornhaus, the ''Platz'' was known as Kornhausplatz or ''Kornmarkt'' (Grain market).

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kornhausplatz Squares in Bern Old City (Bern)