|
Germany
Travel Guide
Leipzig
is the largest city in the German federal state of Saxony, with a
population of approximately 500,000. It is the industrial centre of the
region and a major cultural center, offering interesting sights, shopping
possibilities and lively nightlife.
 
Buy at allposters.com
First
documented in 1015, and endowed with city and market privileges in 1165,
the city of Leipzig has fundamentally shaped the history of Saxony and of
Germany. Leipzig has always been known as a place of commerce and still
has a large trade fair ground.
Leipzig
acquired the nickname Kleines Paris ("Little Paris") in the
18th century, when it became a center of a classical literary movement
under the leadership of German scholar and writer Johann Christoph
Gottsched.
The
city is also the home of the Nicolaikirche (Church of St. Nicolai or
Nicholas) - the starting point of peaceful demonstrations against the
communist regime which led to German Unification. The collapse of
communism hit Leipzig's economy very heavily, but it is now on the
mend.
Attractions
and things to do:
- Old Town Hall - Leipzig's Old Town Hall
was built in 1556 in the Renaissance style and remains one of
Germany's largest. Located on the pretty main square of the city,
it's a good orientation point. The Old City Hall was built 1556
by Hieronymus Lotter on basements of two Patrician houses. It is a
beautiful Renaissance style building, 90 metres long with arcades
(1906 - 09), six gables and a tower. In the 18th century the tower
was enlarged and it received a Baroque spire. Till 1904 the Old
City Hall was home of the city administration. Then it became home
of the city museum. Most impressive is the huge Banquetting
Hall with Renaissance interior (open fireplaces). I was surprised
by the many fine works of medieval religious art: altars,
paintings, wood-carved sculptures etc. Most of them were saved
from churches which were deconstructed in Leipzig's surrounding.
Very impressive are the rooms with interior from old Patrician
houses. I also liked the treasure chamber (steep and narrow
staircase!). Entrance fee is 2.50 Euro. This Renaissance
building was erected in just nine month in 1556/57 under the
direction of the architect Hieronymus Lotter. The municipal
government moved into the New Town Hall in the year 1909. If you
have a bit luck you are allowed to visit the cellar of the
building. Here you find the chamber of torture and the jail.
|
Buy at allposters.com
|
- Old City Hall: Leipzig's Renaissance City hall. Contains a
museum of city history which possesses the original of the only
confirmed painting of Bach produced in his lifetime. Also contains
interesting information regarding the public executions that
previously took place in the market in front of the city hall. The
most famous execution was that of Woyzeck later made famous by the
Büchner play and the opera of Alban Berg. The interior of the
Old City Hall (built in 1556) was far more interesting of the
outside view for me, however charming the latter may be. Inside
there's an interesting museum covering the history of Leipzig from
the very beginnings (in 12th century) till our days. One of the most
touristy places of the whole city.
- Auerbach's Keller - this pub has been around since medieval times -
opened in 1525 it is among the oldest continuously operated pubs in
Germany. The barrel cellar has been the background to a scene in one
of Germany's most famous plays, "Faust" by Goethe. The
master of German literature himself used to drink his wine here, and
the rooms are frequently the set for a live, around-the-city
re-enactment of the play. (on the expensive side)
- Christmas Market - Every year in mid December there is a
Christmas Market in the Old Market Square in front of the Old Town
Hall. Booths are set up selling gifts, food and gluewein (a spiced
heated wine). There are also carolers and Christmas themed events.
- Leipzig Zoo - The Leipzig Zoo is one of the largest and best
known in Germany. It has a very long tradition, is currently
undergoing a major re-design. Already finished constructions include
the new elephants' enclosure, with a swimming pool where you can
watch the elephants bathing from under the water level, the monkey
house and a open-plan, safari-style Africa landscape.
- Botanical Garden in Leipzig - This botanical garden belongs to Leipzig
University. It's the oldest one in Germany and one of the first in
the world.
- Museum of Fine Arts
- Museum of Applied Arts and Museum of Ethnology both under Grassi Museum.
- Schiller House, Mendelssohn House, Schumann House All used to
live and create in Leipzig. Mendelssohn's concert hall, the
Gewandhaus is still active today near Leipzig's market place.
- St. Thomas Church and Bach Museum - The church where Bach worked for most of his life
hosts a museum to the greatest German composer of all times. This is
also where Bach himself is buried
- Museum at the Round Corner - An interesting museum documenting the Stasi (DDR
secret police) headquarters in Leipzig. Very interesting (and free!)
if you can understand German, but there is not much English inside.
- Voelkerschlachtdenkmal - A huge monument commemorating the Battle of
Leipzig in the Napoleonic Wars, a major defeat for Napoleon. It was
later expanded to its present monsterous proportions. A must
see!
- Hauptbahnhof - impressive at 26 platforms, with the most
expensive station toilets in Western Europe, at €1.10 a tinkle
- The Mendelssohn Music College
- Nikolaikirche
- Naturkundemuseum - The nature museum, filled with all kinds of
taxidermy creatures. Only 2 Euro.
read more
top
|
