The city of Leipzig, long famed for its trade fairs, lies in the Saxon Lowland at the junction of the Weisse Elster and the Pleisse. Situated as it was on important trade routes, the town developed, after being granted the privilege of holding fairs, into a considerable commercial town, the leading city in Saxony after Dresden. It also became a center of art, culture and learning. Its importance as a center of the book trade is shown by its old-established publishing houses, its major libraries, including the German Library (Deutsche Bücherei) and the German Central Library for the Blind, its International Book Fairs and annual exhibitions of the finest books of the year, its College of Graphic and Book Art and its large printing and publishing houses.
The Battle of the Nations Monument (by B. Schmitz and C. Thieme, 1898-1913) in Leipzig is an imposing structure in the monumental style favored at the turn of the century. It was built on the occasion of the hundredth anniversary of the Battle of the Nations. There is a viewing platform at a height of 91 m/299ft.
In Strasse des 18 Oktober (Deutscher Platz) in Leipzig can be found the German Library (by O. Pusch, 1914-16), set up with the object of collecting all books and publications in German. It also houses the German Museum of Books and Writing.
Address: German Library, Deutscher Platz 1, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
In Leipzig's northern district of Gohlis, in Menckestrasse, is the Gohliser Schlösschen, a mansion built by F. Seltendorff in 1755-56 for C. Richter, a Leipzig councilor. In the Great Hall is a ceiling painting, "The Life of Psyche", by A. F. Oeser (1779).
A little way north, at Menckestrasse 42, can be seen the last surviving cottage from the old village of Gohlis. The composer Schiller lived in this little house in 1785 and composed his "Ode to Joy" here.
Behind the Old Town Hall in Leipzig lies a quiet little square, the Naschmarkt, laid out in 1556. On the north side is the Old Commercial Exchange (Alte Handelsbörse), an Early Baroque building by J. G. Starcke (1678-87). It is now used for social events.
At the southwest corner of Leipzig's old town stands the New Town Hall, a monumental building in the style of the German Late Renaissance (by H. Licht, 1899-1905). It occupies the site of the 13th century Pleissenburg, which was pulled down in 1897-98. The stump of a tower from the old castle is incorporated in the central tower (115 m/377ft high) of the new building.
The Old Town Hall was built in the mid 16th C. The Renaissance building has a Baroque crown on the tower. On weekends costumed trumpeters take to the balcony above the entrance.
In Philipp-Rosenthal-Strasse in Leipzig is the Russian Church (the Memorial Church of St Alexius; by W. A. Pokrowski, 1912-13), with a gilded onion dome. It was built to commemorate the 22,000 Russians who fell in the Battle of the Nations at Leipzig in 1813.
On the north side of the Markt in Leipzig is the Old Weigh-House built in 1555 by Burgomaster Lotter, rebuilt in 1963-64 after wartime destruction and recently renovated.
The Renaissance styled school of St Nicholas houses the Antique Museum. In the collection are numerous examples of early Greek, Etruscan and Roman pieces.
Address: Museum of Classical Antiquity, Nikolaikirchhof 2, D-04109 Leipzig, Germany
Opposite the St Thomas's Church in Leipzig, at Thomaskirchhof 16, is the Bosehaus, occupied by the Bach Research Institute and Memorial and the Bach Archives.
At Markt 8 in Leipzig is Barthels Hof (1523), a typical old warehouse built for the purposes of the Leipzig fair. A passage leads through to the Kleine Fleischergasse, with the Haus zum Kaffeebaum ("At the sign of the Coffee-Tree"; No. 4), originally built about 1500 and occupied from 1694 by a historic inn, which was frequented between 1833 and 1844 by the composer Robert Schumann and his friends and fellow musicians (the "Davidsbündler").
Delitzsch (22km/13.5mi north of Leipzig) has some well-preserved remains of its old fortifications (Hallischer Turm, 16th C.; Breiter Turm, c. 1400; moat). The Town Church of SS. Peter and Paul is a 15th C hall-church. The Schloss (16th-17th C.) is now a museum.
At Eilenburg (22km/13.5mi northeast of Leipzig) is a castle founded by Henry I in the 10th century at a crossing of the river Mulde. From the Sorbenturm (12th C.) there are good views of the town and the Mulde valley. The Town Hall, a Renaissance building of 1545, was destroyed in 1945 but was rebuilt after the war. There is a museum on the Mansberg and an observatory.
Located in Leipzig's district of Moeckern is a living museum, Historical Tram Station, with a collection of trams. Along with historical cars is a large number of components, aggregates and accessories. A model tram is also displayed.
The Museum of Musical Instruments in Leipzig first opened in 1929. Musical instruments from the Middle Ages to the 20th C. are on display. There is a hands-on sounds laboratory and extensive archives.
The Mendelssohn House in Leipzig is the only authenticly preserved residence of the composer. The house, originally built in 1844, has undergone restoration based on the original plans and now contains many original artifacts and personal objects. Further information about the composer is revealed in written documents contained in the house.
Address: Mendelssohn House, Goldschmidtstrasse 12, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
Museum in Round Corner features photos and documents in the entrance hall recalling the history of the building, which was erected in 1911-1913 as the headquarters of a fire insurance company. The Stasi was a military organisation until 1986 when it was abolished, after a peaceful revolution.
Address: Museum in der "Runden Ecke", Dittrichring 24, D-04003 Leipzig, Germany
Hours:
10am-6pm
Always closed on: Christmas - Christian (December 25), Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24), Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Southwest of the New Town Hall in southwestern Leipzig is the domed building once occupied by the old Supreme Court (Reichsgericht; 1888-95), now the Museum of Art, with pictures by German, Italian and Dutch masters from the 15th C. onwards. Of particular interest are the collections of historical material and sculpture of the 19th and 20th centuries.
Address: Leipzig Museum of Art, Katharinenstrasse 10, D-04109 Leipzig, Germany
Hours:
10am-6pm; Wed:12pm-8pm; Closed: Mon
Tips: Admission is free the 2nd Wednesday of every month.
The Museum of Automation began in 1996 with a collection for the history of the automatic control engineering. Exhibits include mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical automation.
Housed in the former central pharmacy, visitors can experience the history of pharmacies and the pharmacy of Saxonia. Displays include stories of personalities such as Heinrich Linck, pharmacy devices such as Pillenvergolder and ergot mill, as well as drugs and herb books.
Between the Deutscher Platz and the Wilhelm Külz Park in Leipzig are the extensive Trade Fair Grounds, on which the Technology Fair was held for the first time in 1920.
The Wundt Institute, named after the psychologist Wilhelm Wundt, contains a room commemorating his life and work. An anteroom with photographs is generally open to the public as the main memorial room is locked and open only by prior arrangements.
Address: Wundt Institute, Tieckstrasse, D-04275 Leipzig, Germany
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Delitzsch, Germany
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