Top 20 Attractions in Leipzig

Leipzig is known as a city of great fairs. For more than 800 years, since the time of Emperor Maximilian I, it has kept unbreakable trading traditions. In the 17th-18th centuries, the city was the cultural and economic center of the region, a place where the printing technology, which was progressive at that time, flourished.

Leipzig became famous for its famous natives. Really great musicians I.S. lived here. Bach, F. Mendelssohn, R. Wagner. I.V. studied at the local university. Goethe. Numerous monuments and house-museums of these famous people remind of the city's great past and its invaluable contribution to world culture.

The founder of the Reformation, Martin Luther, liked to visit local restaurants. In the 20th century, it was from Leipzig that unrest began, as a result of which the Berlin Wall fell and Germany became united again.

What to see and where to go in Leipzig?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.

old town hall

The building was built in the 16th century according to the project of the Saxon architect P. Speck in the style of the early German Renaissance. Subsequently, the town hall was repeatedly rebuilt and reconstructed. From the town hall tower every Sunday the city anthem is played by trumpeters. The building is located in the historic center of Leipzig on the Market Square. In the Middle Ages, this square hosted not only trade fairs, but also jousting tournaments and public executions.

New town hall

The new building of the city municipality, erected at the beginning of the 20th century on the site of the demolished castle of the 13th century. In the appearance of a majestic building, features of Art Nouveau, Renaissance and Gothic can be traced. The opening of the New Town Hall took place in the presence of the Saxon king Friedrich August III. The facade of the building is generously decorated with bas-reliefs, sculptures and decorative elements. The architectural complex is crowned by a round 114-meter tower.

Goliz Palace

Palace of the XVIII century, built for the city councilor I. K. Richter, designed by the architect F. Seltendorf. The castle was inherited by the official's wife, Christina Hitzer. Under the direction of her new husband, the interior decoration and decoration was completed. At the end of the 18th century, prominent cultural figures were frequent guests of the castle, which is why the place gained a reputation as a center of spiritual life. The palace passed into city ownership after Christina's death.

Monument to the Battle of Nations

Monument dedicated to the historical battle of October 16-19, 1813, when Napoleon's army met near Leipzig with the allied forces of Prussia, the Russian Empire, Austria and Sweden. The monument was opened exactly 100 years after this event in 1913 in the presence of representatives of all states that took part in the battle. Thousands of tons of concrete and countless granite slabs were used to make the monument.

Church of St. Nicholas

One of the oldest churches in Leipzig, built in the 12th century. Within the walls of the temple, the great I.S. Bach performed for the first time his immortal work "Passion according to Matthew". The church became famous for the fact that it was here in 1989 that activists gathered to call for the demolition of the Berlin Wall. Thanks to this event, the nickname "cradle of the peaceful revolution" was firmly stuck to the temple. At the moment, the Church of St. Nicholas is Lutheran.

Church of Saint Thomas

The temple was built in the 13th century and has undergone several renovations over the 700 years of history. The building in the late Gothic style has survived to this day. The Church of St. Thomas is known throughout the world, so J.S. served here as a cantor. Bach (the grave of the musician is inside the building). At the beginning of the 20th century, a sculpture of a musician was installed on the square in front of the temple. Also in 1539, Martin Luther himself preached in the church.

Temple-monument of Russian Glory

An Orthodox church erected in memory of the Russian soldiers who died in the battle of 1813 near Leipzig. The church was consecrated in 1913 on the centenary of the battle. The building is made in the style of tent churches of the 17th century according to the project of V. Pokrovsky. During the 20th century, the building was restored several times, which ensured its excellent preservation. The church iconostasis, located inside, is also made in the style of painting of the 17th century.

Bach Archive Museum

The collection is located on the territory of the house where I.S. Bach. The composer spent more than 25 years of his life here until his death in 1750. On the territory of the house-museum, tourists can see the original scores and manuscripts belonging to the hand of a genius, as well as personal belongings of his family. Parts of the organ on which Bach played were also preserved. In 2008, the museum was taken over by the University of Leipzig.

House-Museum of Mendelssohn

The museum is organized in the house where F. Mendelssohn spent the last three years of his life. At that time he was the head of the city symphony orchestra. Mendelssohn became famous all over the world thanks to the "Wedding March". The house-museum is unique in that the original interior and furnishings have been preserved almost unchanged inside. The collection consists of personal items, sheet music, documents and letters written by the composer.

Forum of Modern History

Historical Museum, which exhibits exhibits from the period 1945-1989, that is, counting from the division of Germany to the fall of the Berlin Wall. The permanent exhibition was opened in 2007, it contains about 3200 different documents, photographs, newspaper articles. The nature of the exhibition, to put it mildly, is somewhat propagandistic, since everything related to the GDR is presented in an unflattering light. Germany, on the contrary, is shown as a stronghold of justice and democracy.

Grassi Museum

An exhibition complex that unites the Museum of Applied Arts, the Museum of Musical Instruments and the Ethnographic Museum. The collections reveal various aspects of the history of Germany and other countries. The exposition of musical instruments is quite interesting; the oldest specimen dates back to the 16th century. The building of the Grassi Museum was erected at the beginning of the 20th century in the Art Deco architectural style.

Art Museum

The collection was founded in the middle of the 19th century on the initiative of local entrepreneurs and bankers. Many of them donated part of their private collections to create a gallery. Museum funds were replenished throughout the 20th century, the last major gift was given in 2004 (a collection of French paintings). The first museum building was destroyed in 1943, in the 2000s. a new modern building in the form of a glass cube was built.

Gewandhaus

City Concert Hall, where the symphony orchestra of the same name is located and performs. The musical group was founded in the middle of the 18th century. The historic building was destroyed during World War II, and a new concert hall was built in 1981. Brilliant European orchestras play on the site, bringing the classical repertoire. Works by great German composers are often performed on the stage.

Leipzig Opera House

Leipzig's operatic tradition has existed since the beginning of the 17th century. The first building of the musical theater was erected in 1693, later it was demolished. The new building was built in 1868, but it was also destroyed during the bombing of 1943. In 1960, a modern building appeared in a rather laconic style. The stage opened with a performance of the incomparable R. Wagner's opera The Mastersingers of Nuremberg.

Alte Waage

Copy of a 16th-century building located on the Market Square. The historic building, completely destroyed in 1943, was erected specifically for the Chamber of Weights and Measures. In the 19th century, the Alte Waage ceased to fulfill its functions, as the chamber moved to another place. Until 1943, the building housed the directorate of the Leipzig Fair. In the 60s. In the 20th century, an inaccurate copy of Alte Wage was created according to the design of V. Müller.

Leipzig main station

The station building was built at the beginning of the 20th century; it is considered one of the largest in the world and the largest in Europe. The length of the front facade is almost 300 meters. There are more than 100 shops inside. After partial destruction in 1943, the station was completely restored by the 60s. XX century. The general reconstruction was carried out in 1990. As a result, the station has 26 platforms and serves more than 150,000 people a day.

Tsum arabishen coffee baum

A coffee house with history, where composers I.S. Bach, R. Schumann, R. Wagner. Even Napoleon Bonaparte himself visited this cafe. All this will be gladly told to tourists by caring guides. The institution has been operating since the 18th century and over the past centuries has been preserved in its almost original form. The interior space is divided into Arabic, Viennese, French rooms and the coffee museum.

Auerbach cellar

An old restaurant located in the historic center of Leipzig. The institution enjoys popular love and enduring popularity. This place was first mentioned in 1428 as a tavern where wine was sold. It was here, according to Goethe's story, that Faust and Mephistopheles met. If we talk about real characters, then one of the famous regulars of the Auerbach Cellar was the reformer Martin Luther.

"Medler Passage"

Shopping complex located in the center of Leipzig. Its history began in 1525 with a small wine bar. Over time, an exhibition hall was added. At the beginning of the 20th century, a significant expansion of the complex was made, while the historical cellars remained intact. Now, in addition to the historical exhibition of wine, porcelain and leather goods, Madler Passage houses offices and trade pavilions.

Leipzig Zoo

The zoo appeared in the city in 1878 at a private restaurant. Gradually, it expanded and occupied an area of ​​27 hectares. The zoo is home to 850 species of animals (more than 10 thousand individuals). It also has its own aquarium, where about 2.5 thousand fish live. One of the parts of the zoo is the Gondwanaland Tropical Park. He became famous throughout Europe due to the huge area and a large number of exotic plants.