Leipzig, places to visit?

The little Paris

Leipzig is considered one of the cities that has made a considerable contribution to the economical and intellectual life of Europe over course of the centuries. A dynamic city, situated in the centre of Germany’s financial and manufacturing area, Leipzig has always encouraged the development of the arts and science. It is not by chance that the great German poet, Wolfgang Goethe, called Leipzig “little Paris”.

It has an excellent trade fair centre and a pulsating historical centre surrounded by the so-called “Ring”, a ring road that follows the line of the old fortifications. But Leipzig is also one of the greatest Europeans cities for music, being linked to immortal composers such as Mendelssohn and Schumann, whose houses are today museums, and Johann Sebastian Bach, who lived in the city for 27 years. A permanent exhibition dedicated to Bach is housed in the museum near the Church of St. Thomas where his tomb can be found.

The centre of some of Germany’s most important printing works and with a strong five-hundred-year book tradition, the city boasts a university of primary importance whose past pupils include the likes of the poet Goethe, the musicians Schumann and Wagner, the astronomer Tycho Brahe, and the philosopher Leibniz. The historic centre is in the heart of the city. One of the architectural symbols is the old city hall (Altes Rathaus) in Renaissance style, built 450 years ago, which houses the Museum of City History.

The Royal Palace of the Saxon sovereigns overlooks the market square. A short distance away is Coffe Baum, the oldest restaurant-cafe in Europe, a meeting place for great personalities. In front of the Old Stock Exchange is a monument to Goethe, whose gaze looks on Madler Passage, an arcade where the historical Auerbachs Keller restaurant, setting for the famous opera “Faust”, can be found. In the Church of St. Nicola, the oldest place of worship in Leipzig, prayers of peace were held, which in 1989 led to the process of reunification of Germany.

The imposing Monument to the Battle of the Nations, situated in the southern quarter of Probstheida, is a historic memorial to the bitter battle fought between allied soldiers and Napoleon’s troupes on 18 October 1813. Each year, on the same date, groups of performers in historic uniforms from all over Europe re-enact the event on the large battle field to the south of the city. The monument, dedicated to peace, has a terrace at the top of 500 stairs with a fantastic view of Leipzig. The commemorative Church of S. Alexij, consecrated a century after the battle of the nations, is a temple of the Russian orthodox community.

Leipzig is rich in artistic treasures and collections. The Grassi Museum, situated on Johannisplatz, houses arts and crafts and musical instruments, and during summer concerts and art auctions are held in the internal courtyard. The industrial history of the city is told at the TechnikCenter and the Printing Art Workshops in Plagwitz. The Book and Script Museum, the Photography Museum and the Gardening Museum are also all worth a visit.

Leipzig is home to the Bavarian station, the oldest terminal train station in the world, today transformed into a gourmet food attraction where “Gose”, the typical local beer, is served. The Drallewatsch, literally “mile of taverns”, teems with restaurants serving local home cooking, many of which have small gardens. The tradition of coffee bars is found throughout the historic centre. The market square is an attractive place for summer open-air events.

The Auenwald, a wooded area with numerous water courses extends from the north to the south of the city, and is perfect for lovers of walks and countryside. The Karl Heine canal offers boat trips in pure Venetian style. In the month of August, in the square alongside the Battle of the Nations monument, a Barkers’ competition is held with pedlars coming from all over Germany. The Market Days and Book Market are held during the year.

Text by Lisa Maria River

Avion Tourism Magazine
Photos: Sisterscom.com, Shutterstock

Video: www.leipzig.travel