Neumarkt, square in Zürich, Switzerland
Neumarkt is a street and square in Zurich's old town on the right bank of the Limmat river. The area features narrow lanes with medieval buildings and guild houses, now housing shops, restaurants, and theaters, alongside distinctive towers like the Grimmenturm that have survived for centuries.
Neumarkt developed in the 1100s as Zurich expanded beyond the older Marktgasse, with first written records appearing in 1311. The Grimmenturm tower, built around 1250, originally served as a residence before becoming a hospital, convent, parish house, and finally a protected cultural site in 1962.
The name Neumarkt reflects its long tradition as a trading place that developed separately from the older Marktgasse. Today the narrow streets lined with guild houses that now host restaurants and theaters show how this space continues to serve as a gathering point for city life.
The streets in Neumarkt are pedestrian-friendly, making walking the best way to explore the narrow lanes and notice small details. The area is easily accessible by tram and bus and lies close to other historic sites like Predigerkirche, allowing for combined visits in a single route.
The name Neumarkt is misleading since this square is actually one of the city's oldest trading places, named to distinguish it from the even older Marktgasse. A special element is the fountain from the 1400s that originally featured a sculpture of Jupiter, which was later replaced with a figure of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory.
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