Nytorv (the new square) is seperated from Gammeltorv (the old square) by Strøget, the main shopping street.

It was founded in 1606 thus only being 'new' compared to the other half of the square. This is where the old pillory and iron collar pole were situated for public punishing of criminals. Both squares were completely demolished by the great fire which destroyed much of the center of Copenhagen in 1795.

On the site the present Court Building was errected in classical style and high on the wall of the Den Danske Bank you will find a memorial plaque for the Danish poet and philosopher Søren Kierkegaard - this was the site of the building, no longer in existence, where his flat was situated.