It is located near the Kornhausbrücke (Kornhaus bridge) and the Zytglogge clock tower.

It is part of the UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site that encompasses the Old City.

[1] Following the Great Fire of 1405 the ditch (known as the Steininbrügg-Graben) was filled in to form a plaza.

In 1711-1715 the Kornhaus (German for granary) was built on the western side of the Platz.

[2] Following construction of the Kornhaus, the Platz was known as Kornhausplatz or Kornmarkt (Grain market).