Sights of Leipzig – 25 most interesting places
The German city traces its history from a small settlement on the banks of the Parte River. Leipzig was constantly at the epicenter of European wars, its population was dying from disease and hunger. During World War II, concentration camps were located here. The sights of Leipzig were destroyed during the hostilities, but the inhabitants restored, erected unique buildings and monuments again. The city miraculously managed to preserve the unique atmosphere that attracted people of art to it in different centuries. Leipzig is named after lindens – trees sacred to the Slavic peoples, symbolizing romance, tenderness, love. Today it consists of 10 urban districts, where more than half a million people of different nationalities live, the largest universities in Europe, museums, and concert buildings operate.
old town hall
The initiator of the construction of the Old Town Hall is the burgomaster and merchant Hieronymus Lotter. The project belonged to the talented Renaissance and Gothic architect Paul Speck, who was also entrusted with leading the construction. The town hall was erected in 1556-1557 on the basis of the foundation of the previous building. This is one of the few architectural structures of the Renaissance in Germany that have survived to this day.
Significant reconstruction was carried out at the beginning of the 20th century.
A feature of the structure is the asymmetric arrangement of the towers. Under them, a passage was built connecting two squares – Market and Naschmarkt. Since 1909, it has housed the Museum of History, the Treasury, ballrooms, meeting rooms, baroque rooms and the only authentic portrait of J. S. Bach by the artist Naussmann.
Open from 10:00 to 18:00. Tram routes No 4, 7,10, 12, 14, 15 to “Augustusplatz”.
New City Hall
The majestic New Town Hall was erected on the site of the 13th century Pleissenbur fortress, which was dismantled in 1890. In 1897, the municipality announced a competition for the design of a new building with the condition that the architecture resembled a demolished fortress. Hugo Licht's suggestion turned out to be the best. By 1905, the construction of the town hall, with 600 rooms, was completed. Fashionable trends were used in architecture – Gothic and Art Nouveau. The facades are decorated with towers, sculptures, bas-reliefs and bay windows.
In the center rises a round tower 114.7 m high as a reminder of Pleissenbur. The interior design is attractive with a wooden staircase with fine carvings and a meeting room, the interior of which has not changed since the day of construction. Exhibitions are held in the lower and upper galleries, and the Leipzig restaurant has been opened in the basement, where the wine cellar used to be. The city council now sits here.
Tram routes No. 2, 8, 9, 14 to “Neues Rathaus”.
Goliz Palace
The palace, which plays the role of a summer residence, was ordered by adviser Richter. Immediately after the completion of construction in 1756, the mansion became the center of cultural life, where the most famous people of that time came to visit, including the poet Friedrich Schiller. In 1783, the building was transferred to city ownership on the condition that the architecture of the ensemble not be changed.
During its existence, the palace was owned by both private individuals and the municipality. After the reunification of Germany, the mansion was restored and transferred to the city department of culture. Now it hosts theatrical performances and concerts, wedding ceremonies, vernissages and festive programs.
Visit from 14:00 to 17:30. To get there – by transport No. 4 to “Stallbaumstraße”.
August Square
Augustuplatz is named after the first Saxon king Friedrich August I. There were defensive structures in its place almost until the 18th century. Friedrich August went down in world history as a politician who won people's love for his justice. He abolished torture, forbade the sale of judicial positions, put the treasury in order, founded a number of higher educational institutions and seminaries. The king did his best to keep Saxony neutral.
His only major mistake in foreign policy was support for Napoleon. In order to prevent the division of Saxony, Friedrich August ceded the Duchy of Warsaw and part of the Saxon lands, but was able to maintain the independence of the state and restore the economy, which had suffered from the Napoleonic wars. Augustuplatz covers 40,000 square meters. The most important city attractions (concert hall, opera and university buildings) are located here.
The area is decorated with two fountains. One of them is named in memory of Marianna Paulina Mende, who bequeathed 150,000 gold marks for its construction. During the Second World War, Augustuplatz was significantly damaged. Some of the buildings were restored, but the ideas of the German communists to give the city a modern look turned into the dismantling of the Mende fountain, the destruction of the Church of St. Paul, built in the 13th century, and a number of unique monuments. In the 80s, the fountain, whose height is 18 meters, was returned to the square. In the 21st century, the temple was restored, and a parking lot was placed underground.
Schiller House Museum
The Schiller Museum was opened to the public in 1848 in a former peasant house, the oldest one that has survived to this day. Built in 1717 in the village of Golis. By the end of the 18th century, townspeople began to come to the village to rest, the houses were rebuilt for delivery to visitors. Friedrich Schiller rented such an apartment in 1785. Here the poet worked on “Don Carlos” and the ode “To Joy”. In September 1841, a gate of honor and a commemorative plaque were installed.
In 1995, a grandiose restoration was carried out, which greatly changed the appearance. He began to receive guests again in October 1998. Today the exhibition presents about 100 original exhibits and is dedicated to the works of Schiller, theatrical premieres of his works and the history of the Leipzig Schiller Society.
Visiting time: from April to October – from 10:00 to 18:00 all days except Monday; from November to March from 10:00 to 16:00. How to get there: by public transport No. 4, stop “Menckestraße”.
Monument “Battle of Nations”
The most impressive monument in Europe is the “Battle of the Nations near Leipzig”. It was decided to create a monument at the beginning of the 19th century. By the 50th anniversary of the battle in 1863, the first stone was laid, but the plans were not realized until the end of the century. Only in 1898, the architect Bruno Schmitz prepared a drawing of the monument, after which construction began. Funding came from donations and a specially organized lottery. Erected in honor of the victory of the allied armies in the fight against Napoleon.
The battle took place on Saxon territory in the autumn of 1813, and thanks to the successful action of the coalition, the emperor had to retreat to France. The height of the monument is 91 m. They climb the stairs to the upper platform or use elevators that rise to a height of 57 meters to the observation platform. The “Hall of Glory” located inside is decorated with the image of 324 horsemen. In the hall there are 4 statues of commemorators 10 meters high, personifying the strength of faith, courage, selflessness and the power of the people.
Open from November to March from 10:00 to 16:00, from April to October until 18:00. It is convenient to get on routes No. 2 and 15.
The central building of the BMW plant
The BMW factory shows the influence of architecture on the success of a team's work. The building accommodates administrative departments, quality control rooms, and design services. The departments are connected to the production area, which consists of body, assembly and paint shops. The plant was opened in the former GDR not by chance – unemployment in this part of Germany is higher than in Western, besides, the labor force is much cheaper here.
Cars at the enterprise began to produce in the spring of 2005, at present the capacity is 700-800 units daily. The plant organizes tours during which visitors are told about the production processes. Held from Monday to Friday, from 08:00 to 18:00 by appointment.
Church of St. Nicholas
The temple was built in 1165. Over the centuries, it has been reconstructed many times, so the appearance combines several architectural trends – Gothic, classicism and renaissance. The wall paintings made by the artist Ezer, luxurious stucco molding, an ancient organ and a carved pulpit are impressive. In this church, Bach's “Passion according to John” was performed for the first time, and here is the grave of Petrus Mosellaus, a humanist, philologist and Roman Catholic theologian.
In 1989, local residents gathered in the church of St. Nicholas, who participated in the movement for the destruction of the Berlin Wall and the unification of Germany. Currently, the parish is Lutheran, sometimes Catholic masses are held. Once a week, those who wish can listen to organ music.
Opening hours: Sunday services at 09:30, 11:15, 17:00. The church can be reached by routes No. 4, 7, 8, 10 to “Augustusplatz”.
Church of Saint Thomas
The name of the temple, built in the 13th century, is associated by many tourists with the music of Bach. The great composer served as a choir cantor in this church for 27 years and was buried in it. Near the wall of the main temple in the fate of the genius, the townspeople erected a monument to Bach. Mozart performed his works in the same building. And the relics of St. Thomas were presented to the temple in the 13th century by the legendary minstrel Henry of Morungen, who became a monk. His love lyrics at one time was considered the standard of chanting female beauty.
The Christian theologian-reformer Martin Luther held a celebratory service in the church of St. Thomas, which went down in the history of the city, calling on the faithful to repentance and freedom of soul. The building was repeatedly rebuilt, its modern appearance corresponds to the canons of the late Gothic and neo-Gothic styles. The church is 18 meters high and 76 meters long. The height of the bell tower, whose construction dates back to the 16th century, reaches 68 meters.
Its largest bell “Gloriosa” (the name translated from Latin means “glorified”) was made in the 16th century. The temple was damaged during the Second World War, but the name of Bach protected it from the attempts of the communists who came to power to eliminate the religious building. There are 3 organs in the building today: created in the 19th century, a copy of a musical instrument of the 18th century and a portable one (made using digital technologies in the 21st century). The church performs the functions of an educational and cultural Christian center.
Tram number 9 to “Thomaskirche”.
Temple-monument of Russian Glory
The monument was designed by the architect V. A. Pokrovsky. It was built in the style of Russian tent structures of the 17th century. There has long been talk in Russian society about perpetuating the memory of the soldiers who died during the Napoleonic campaign. It was built on donations from parishioners; for this purpose, the Committee for the Construction of the Temple was organized.
The city authorities allocated a plot of 2.6 hectares for construction. The first stone was laid in December 1912 and consecrated in October 1913. The ceremony was attended by the Grand Russian Duke Kirill Vladimirovich. The remains of Russian soldiers were solemnly transferred to the crypt. Several times the memorial temple was closed, robbed, it passed under various jurisdictions. Now owned by the ROC.
Located on Philipp-Rosenthal-Str., not far from the monument “Battle of the Nations”.
Southern Cemetery
In the middle of the 19th century, the population of the city increased greatly, and an additional cemetery was required, the design of which began in 1879. In 1886, the Southern Cemetery, measuring 82 sq. km was opened. In 1910, a chapel with a bell tower was erected, as well as a crematorium and a columbarium. This is the largest of the park cemeteries in Germany with equipped alleys, sculptures and green spaces. For the complex in the neo-romantic style, the Laach Abbey located in the Eifel was taken as a model.
The cemetery can be reached by tram number 15 to “Südfriedhof”.
Bach Museum
The building is located near the Church of St. Thomas. The baroque house belonged to a Leipzig merchant in the 18th century. Nearby is another architectural monument associated with the activities of the composer: the school of St. Thomas, where he taught and lived (according to the traditions of that time) Johann Sebastian Bach. In Leipzig the great composer of sacred music spent the last 27 years of his life. His service as cantor of the church choir in the church of St. Thomas included the duties of a conductor, organist, and teacher.
Genius was distinguished by a quick-tempered character. Bach's main support was the family, whose support made it possible to survive any difficulties. It is natural that a significant part of the museum exposition is dedicated to his relatives. Here you can see the original musical notations of the composer's spiritual and secular works, musical instruments made in the 18th century. The museum has a unique collection of audiovisual recordings of Bach's performances.
Among the relics, a part of the organ from the Church of St. John occupies a special place. A musical instrument was once tuned by a composer. The temple was destroyed during the Second World War, its surviving tower (restored at the expense of the parishioners) was blown up 20 years later by decision of the local authorities. Today the museum is one of the subdivisions of the Bach Archive, a research and documentary center founded in 1950.
Open from 10:00 to 18:00, except Monday. Take bus number 89 to “Thomaskirche”.
Apartment Museum Mendelssohn
The outstanding composer, pianist, conductor lived for 38 years. He was called the “Mozart of the 19th century”, one of the most popular representatives of the direction of romanticism. After his death, the composer's work was severely criticized and Jacob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy was reminded of his Jewish roots. From 1835 he took an active part in the cultural life of Leipzig and died here. Mendelssohn contributed to the opening of the city conservatory, where he taught from 1843.
The eight-room apartment on the second floor of the Leipzig building, built in 1844, turned out to be the only place where the composer lived to this day. Mendelssohn had a happy marriage, but for the sake of his unrequited love for the Swedish opera singer Jenny Lind, he wanted to leave his wife and children and flee to America. The apartment-museum stores drafts of the scores of works dedicated to the fatal woman in the composer's life.
It is noteworthy that the personal archive of the singer has not been published (in order to avoid public outcry) even 100 years after her death. The creators of the museum managed to recreate the original furnishings of the rooms, acquire furniture that belonged to Mendelssohn, and original letters. The apartment was opened to the public in 1996. After 18 years, the area of the museum has increased due to the premises on the first floor, where there is a music salon and equipped with an effectorium. In the latter, adults and children can feel like the conductors of a virtual orchestra.
It is convenient to get there by tram number 2, 9, 16 to “Rossplatz”.
Grassi Museum
The museum complex is named after a merchant who bequeathed 2 million marks to the city for the construction of buildings for cultural institutions. The complex unites several museums: ethnographic, applied arts, musical instruments. In the 19th century, the Grassi Museum occupied a building in the Place Royale. The collections increased, and the city authorities decided to build a new cultural center. The object was built in 4 years, its architecture reflects the Art Deco and new objectivity prevailing at that time.
The museum ensemble consists of buildings 2-3 floors high. The buildings are arranged so that they frame 4 courtyards. A significant part of the museum's exhibits was destroyed during World War II. It was possible to restore the buildings after the bombings, but in the 80s, due to an accident in the heating system, the complex was closed to the public.
At the beginning of the 21st century, after extensive restoration work, access to the Grassi Museum was opened. Today, his collection of applied arts is considered one of the best in Europe. The collection of the ethnographic museum has about 200 thousand exhibits. The collection of musical instruments contains 10 thousand items, the age of its oldest relics reaches 400 years.
Tram routes No. 4, 7, 12, 15 to Johannisplatz.
Market Square
The history of the market square dates back to the 12th century, when the Slavic settlement located on the site of Leipzig received the status of a city and the right to free trade. There are versions that its age exceeds 900 years. The trading heart of the city was the intersection of two roads: Imperial and Royal. A square arose here, where the famous autumn and spring fairs took place in Europe. Later it was moved, surrounded by new buildings.
The area has been rebuilt several times. It went down in history as a place of public execution of criminals, battles of knights in tournaments. In the late XIX – early XX centuries, the square acquired the status of a trade and exhibition center. A huge exhibition hall, where the tunnel passes today, was located underground.
On the territory of the market square is the building of the Old Town Hall, erected in the middle of the 16th century, in whose premises there is a concert hall and a museum.
Nearby, the Old Stock Exchange and the house where the brilliant thinker Christian Thomasius was born (his philosophical and legal works influenced the development of world science) have been preserved. Nearby, on the site of the first coffee house in the city, there is the Coffee Tree Museum, on the next street – the oldest Leipzig restaurant, immortalized in Goethe's tragedy Faust. The Old Scales is another iconic building, which is not inferior in importance to the Royal House located right there on the square.
Art Museum
The basis of the cultural fund was the collections of private individuals, which were replenished with new exhibits over time. A significant investment was made by Hans Peter Buhler and his wife – they presented a collection of French paintings. The first building for the museum was built in 1858 – an elegant palace in the style of the Italian Renaissance. During the war, it was destroyed, so for 40 years the exhibits were exhibited at the Dimitrov Museum.
At the beginning of the 21st century, a new building was erected, representing a glass cube with numerous terraces and stairs. Various materials were used in the interior design – glass, concrete, wood, shell rock. The collection features medieval and contemporary art.
Schedule – 10:00-18:00, Wednesday 12:00-20:00. Getting there: tram number 3, 7, 9.15 to Goerdelerring or Hauptbahnhof.
Gewandhaus Concert Hall
It is believed that the tradition of holding “Great Concerts”, which were given by orchestras of 16 musicians, began in 1743. After a break, a group of 30 orchestra members called “Amateur Concerts” resumed concert activity. In 1835-1847 Mendelssohn was the leader and conductor of the Gewandhaus Symphony Orchestra. During this period, an original creative style was developed, and the repertoire was supplemented by immortal works by Bach, Beethoven and contemporary authors.
After the war, the team moved to a modern building, which includes two halls, one designed for 1900 spectators, the other – for 498, excellent acoustics everywhere. Symphony and brass bands, children's and adult choirs work in the Gewandhaus, conferences and congresses are held.
Opening hours: tours are held on Saturdays. How to get there: to “Augustusplatz” by tram number 4, 8, 10 14, 16.
Opera theatre
One of the oldest opera houses in Europe was founded at the end of the 17th century, when its first building was opened. The latter turned out to be built with construction errors. It was demolished, and the Leipzig Opera was built on Augusta Square. The grand opening of the facility in 1868 was attended by the royal family of Saxony. For a number of years, works by Mozart, Gluck, Weber, Weill have been successfully staged here.
The Leipzig Opera House is interesting because its repertoire to this day combines classical and modern operas, but the leading place among the productions is occupied by the works of Richard Wagner – one of the most difficult to perform. In 1943, the unique building was destroyed, in its place, 13 years later, the construction of a new theater began. The 52-meter-high object erected on the square corresponds to the canons of the Stalinist Empire style.
In total, more than 44 million marks were spent on construction, finishing work and materials. The dimensions of the theater, the luxury of its interior and exterior solutions are amazing. The technical equipment of the building remains today one of the best in Europe. The main hall of the theater can accommodate more than 1200 spectators. The building has a chamber hall where concerts, lectures and exhibitions are held.
How to get there: route No 4,7,8, 10, 11 stop “Augustusplatz”.
main station
A competition for the creation of a railway station project was announced at the beginning of the last century. The work of local architects William Lossow and Max Hans Kuehne was recognized as the best. The construction of the station began in November 1909, six years later (1915) it received its first passengers. The building impresses with the length of the facade – more than 300 meters. After Germany was unified, a general reconstruction was carried out. 150,000 passengers are served daily. The complex houses about 100 shops and kiosks, numerous cafeterias and restaurants, hairdressers – everything is provided for the convenience of passengers.
Old coffee house “At the Arabic coffee tree”
The legendary coffee house claims to be the oldest in Europe (the competitor is the Parisian cafe Prokop). This is a cultural monument, it is believed that coffee has been prepared and sold here since 1711. The famous cafe was visited by famous people of that time, and Schumann often met with friends at the establishment, he even had a table assigned to him. In 1720, a signboard depicting a man in oriental clothes appeared above the entrance to the cafe. He presented a cup of coffee to a European as a token of friendship. The drawing prompted the owners of the establishment to give such a strange and long name. Today, dishes of French, Arabic, Viennese cuisine are prepared here. The establishment welcomes visitors every day.
How to get there: tram route No. 9 to the “Thomaskirch” stop.
Auerbach cellar
The cafe is one of the oldest establishments in the world, located in the old city center. The restaurant is divided into four small halls, accommodating up to 40 people. At this place, according to documents, wine was traded in the 15th century. Named for Strömer, the owner, better known as “Dr. Auerbach”. The place is very popular, so tables are booked in advance. In front of the entrance, a bronze sculptural composition is installed, which depicts Dr. Faust, accompanied by Mephistopheles.
During his studies at the University of Leipzig, Goethe often came here. Once the writer heard a legend about the warlock Faust, who was seen galloping up the stairs to the exit on a barrel, and the devil himself was allegedly involved in this incident. Impressed by this amazing story, Goethe wrote the immortal tragedy Faust, in which the action of the first chapters took place in this institution.
The hall is open from 11:30-24:00. How to get to the “Auerbach's cellar”: public transport No. 9 to “Thomaskirche”.
Trade complex “Medler-passage”
Passage Madler shopping center owes its appearance to businessmen – Stromer and Madler. On January 1, 1911, friends acquire the site and begin construction of the Passage, which continued until 1914. Since its opening, it has been used as an exhibition hall for wines, porcelain, ceramics and leather. Every year, autumn and spring fairs, popular in Europe, are held here. A comprehensive repair and restructuring took place at the end of the last century, within two years the Passage was completely renovated. The five-story building was supplemented with glass ceilings and a rotunda.
There are many boutiques in the shopping complex where you can buy your favorite item at a good discount. The hotel is open and the Mephisto bar is open – a place popular with locals and tourists, equipped in red and black colors.
How to get there: by public transport No 9 to “Thomaskirche”.
Zoo
Zoo organizers care about the well-being of pets and the conservation of animals – this is the main thing in their work. Here, means are used that allow the inhabitants to feel like in their own home, and not in an artificial environment. This is evidenced by the design of cages and enclosures, as well as the natural material from which they are made – wood, stone, jute. Programs aimed at the conservation of endangered and rare species of animals are used. The pride of the organizers in obtaining offspring from rare and endangered animals.
The Gondwana exposition is very popular with children and adults. This is a pavilion the size of two football fields, representing the wildlife of the tropics. Other, no less interesting expositions tell about the nature of Europe, South America, savannahs.
Open from November to March – 09:00 to 17:00, from April to October – until 18:00. Tram route No. 12 to the stop “Zoo”.
Alte Waage
In 1555, a building was erected on the Market Square, where goods prepared for sale were weighed – the Chamber of Weights and Measures. In 1820, she was transferred to another room, and the former place was called the “Old Scales”. Then a trading house was set up in the Alte Waag, since 1964 a travel agency has been operating in the restored premises, and since the end of the last century a large insurance company has settled here. The building is three-story, with a basement and two attic floors. With its Renaissance facade, the Alte Waage faces the Market Square. The pediment is decorated with currency and sundial motifs. The eastern side of the facade is made in a modern style.
Leipzig is a beautiful city full of architectural masterpieces, ancient monuments, unique modern buildings, shopping malls. It makes an indelible impression on any person, remaining in memory for many years.
City History Museum
The City Historical Museum occupies several sites. Its exhibits are located in the old buildings of the town hall and the stock exchange, a modern multifunctional complex, the Schiller house-museum, coffee and sports museums. The Battle of the Nations monument is one of the visiting cards, the largest monument in Europe is also a branch of the museum. The creation of a unique collection began in the second half of the 19th century.
For several years, the townspeople, united in a historical society, managed to find and acquire over 5 thousand rare items. The first exhibition of artifacts was opened in 1889. At the beginning of the 19th century, the society transferred the collection to the city for the future museum. During the Second World War, a significant part of the exhibits was evacuated, which made it possible to save rare artifacts. Later, the museum was reorganized, the structure and name of the institution changed.
Currently, its funds contain more than half a million items: graphic images, coins, awards, household utensils, clothing, jewelry, musical instruments, glass negatives, vintage vehicles and much more. Most exhibits have virtual copies. The latter can be found in any corner of the world with the help of Internet technologies.