Leipzig is known as a city of great fairs. For more than 800 years, since the time of Emperor Maximilian I, it has kept inviolable trading traditions. In the 17th-18th centuries, the city was the cultural and economic center of the region, a place where the then advanced printing technology 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 great past of the city 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.
The best hotels and hostels at affordable prices.
from 500 rubles/day
What to see and where to go in Leipzig?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
The building was built in XVI century designed by 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.
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.
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 was completed interior decoration and decoration. 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 dedicated to historical battle 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.
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.
The temple was built in the 13th century and has undergone several reconstructions over the 700 years of history. The construction has survived to this day in the late gothic style. 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.
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.
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 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.
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 inside it has been preserved almost unchanged. original interior and setting. The collection consists of personal items, sheet music, documents and letters written by the composer.
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.
Exhibition complex uniting the Museum of Applied Arts, Museum 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 architectural style art deco.
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.
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'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 Nuremberg Mastersingers.
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.
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.
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. Inner space divided into Arabic, Viennese, French rooms and the coffee museum.
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.
19. Madeler Passage
Shopping complex located in the center of Leipzig. Its history began in 1525 with a small wine bar. Over time it was built showroom. 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.
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.
509,000 inhabitants
Leipzig is a special city. More than three hundred years separate the first mention of a small fortress at the crossroads of important trade routes and the granting of the "Great Fair Privilege", which made the city one of the most important imperial trading centers. Between these events - and the status of a trading town, and the possession of silver mines in the Ore Mountains, and the creation of a third German university. Since 1497, imperial fairs have been regularly held in the city, to which merchants from all over Europe flock (now this continues, the territory of the exhibition center in Leipzig is huge, and annually hosts a huge number of different exhibitions and fairs). It is this starting point for the creation of the Leipzig that we see now.
| City coat of arms |
Around the market square
Center of old Leipzig . On the east side is town hall, built at the beginning of the 16th century is a true testament to the financial power of the city. The city council building was built in 1556 and is one of the most famous examples administrative buildings in the Renaissance style. The work was personally supervised by the burgomaster of Leipzig, Hieronymus Lotter.
 |
| old town hall |
The result was a three-story building with arcades on the lower floor. The tower of the town hall is located a little asymmetrically: there are two transverse pediments to the left of it, and four to the right. The baroque top of the tower dates back to the 18th century, while the bay window on the south side, as well as the gallery, were added at the beginning of the twentieth century.
 |
| old town hall |
Since 1911, the city museum has been located in the Old Town Hall, visiting which you can see the main halls of the Old Town Hall. Not far from the town hall is museum of fine arts , which contains a rich collection of paintings and plastics.
« royal house is located on the south side of the square. The building was built in the 16th century and rebuilt in the Baroque style in the 18th century. The house got its name due to the fact that the crowned persons who came to Leipzig stayed here. Among them is our Peter the Great, his rival, King Charles 12 of Sweden (several years later), Napoleon before the battle of 1813.
 |
| Church of Saint Thomas |
Church of Saint Thomas - the main place of pilgrimage for fans of the great Bach. The late Gothic hall church is decorated with a baroque turret. This white elegant building is famous for the fact that one of the most famous boys' choirs in the world (along with the Vienna one) was created here, for the fact that one of the greatest composers, Johann Sebastian Bach, served here. There he is buried in the altar.
The church on this site was already known in the 12th century. In the 13th century, an Augustinian monastery appeared and the church was rebuilt, and this lasted for several centuries. By the end of the 15th century, there modern design. Pay attention to the magnificent mesh vaults. The baroque top of the tower dates back to the early 18th century.
Opposite the church there is a monument to the musician, and across the road is the Bach Archive Museum, where you can see the furniture, instruments, and recordings of the composer during his stay in Leipzig. It is worth noting that it was in Leipzig that he spent most of his life and served as a cantor in the Church of St. Thomas for 27 years. Unfortunately, none of the organs Bach played in the city have survived.
 |
| New monument to Bach |
Next to the church is a monument to the composer, erected here in 1908. The first monument to Bach was erected in the city in 1843 by order of another composer and cantor of the church, Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy. It was he who, two years earlier, actually pulled the works of Bach out of hundred-year-old oblivion by playing “The St. Matthew Passion” in the church of St. Thomas.
At the end of the 19th century, another monument to Bach appeared in the church: stained glass window with a portrait of the composer.
 |
| Bach stained glass |
Passing by the imposing bank building, the former trading house "Topaz", you can walk to the oldest coffee house in Leipzig (the second oldest in Europe) - " coffee tree ».
The cafe got its name from the decor above the entrance: a coffee tree, an angel with a cup of coffee and a Turk. The coffee house itself has been located here since 1694, and August the Strong himself, the famous Duke of Saxony and King of Poland, whose stormy energy we owe the appearance of the magnificent ensemble of Dresden, first tasted coffee here. By the way, this beautiful relief above the entrance to the cafe was created by a student of Balthazar Permoser, one of the creators of the Dresden Zwinger.
 |
| Decoration of the oldest Saxon cafe |
As in any fair city, Leipzig has a huge number of passages that were built specifically for the convenience of trade and the supply of goods. Thus, in the city appeared passages that became his real calling card. Many of them were rebuilt in the 19th century, modernized and ennobled. It is always interesting to walk among such houses: these are whole rows of courtyards, passing one into another, with real streets and shops.
 |
| Passage of the Spexhof |
One of these interesting passages is Speckshof - the first private fairground in the city, its owner was the merchant Maximilian Speks von Sternburg. The modern passage was built for quite a long time, in several stages, separated by the First World War and the difficult post-war years. Only the name remains in memory of the first owner Shpeks. At that time it was one of the largest fair premises. After the transfer of the fairgrounds outside the historical center, trade and office premises were placed in passages similar to the Speks Court.
 |
| Rike Trading House |
Opposite - the most original trading house Riquethaus. the Art Nouveau building was built at the beginning of the twentieth century by order of the Riquet trading house, which carried colonial goods. Elephant heads above the entrance once served as the identification of a chocolate factory owned by Rika. Now you can drink good coffee here.
 |
| Modern with an oriental touch |
There is a Baroque building next to the Specks Hof old Stock Exchange on the Naschmarkt . It is very beautifully decorated on the outside, but has long been serving not the world of finance and raw materials, but the muse: a concert hall is located here. The Old Stock Exchange is the only baroque building in the city that has survived. Opposite - a monument to the main student of the University of Leipzig, I.-V. Goethe who looks in the direction of his favorite place in the city: Auerbach's tavern.
 |
| old exchange |
Not far from the market square and the Naschmarkt is the passage made famous by Goethe in his Faust. More precisely, Goethe was describing a tavern on the site of a modern arcade. But at the end of the 19th century, the shopping center " M adler Passage ” was built by the leather goods manufacturer Anton Mädler on the site of the former Auerbach courtyards, which attracted the German genius so much. The four-storey building is connected with two more passages - royal and exhibition, and is a real city within a city. At the crossroads of three passages there is a "rotunda" where a carillon made of Meissen porcelain was installed, which plays music every hour.
During the construction of the famous auerbach squash, in which one of the scenes of Faust took place, went underground, while being sufficiently expanded and rebuilt. But it exists, and they still show how you can fly on a barrel, and for a lot of money. The name Auerbach reminds us of the former courtyards that were on this site, more precisely of the wine shop opened here in 1525 by the professor of medicine, university rector and city councilor Heinrich Strömer from the town of Auerbach. Later, a huge trading yard appeared here, and here they sold mainly luxury goods, as they do now.
They say that it was in 1525 that Dr. Faust, who visited the Leipzig fair, also visited a tavern, where he rode a barrel. Paintings about this story appear in the seventeenth century, but Auerbach's tavern became famous only after the appearance of Goethe's Faust.
In the passage about Faust and Mephistopheles, the sculptural scenes from the work that guard the entrance to the tavern since 1913 and the Mephisto cafe, owned by the Aeursbach tavern, but already at normal prices, are reminiscent. If you go there, don't forget to wait for Mephistopheles. He goes there sometimes.
The university is also nearby. But before you go there, you need to go to Church of St. Nicholas . Very beautiful decoration this oldest surviving church in the city, which is also the largest church in the city. It was first mentioned in the middle of the 12th century. The old Gothic church was rebuilt in the 18th century in the spirit of classicism.
The church has become world famous since October 1989, when protesters against the division of Germany took to the streets from here. It all started back in 1981, when parishioners gathered here for peaceful "prayers on Mondays", and ended with a revolution without violence, when at the end of September 1989 more than 70 thousand people came to pray.
Augustusplatz
The square is named after King Friedrich August 1 of Saxony. It was conceived as a cultural center - a museum, theater, Augusteum, post office, university - all in one place.
university was founded in 1406 by Margrave Frederick the Warlike. The building was built according to the project of Karl-Friedrich Schinkel on the site of the former Paulin monastery, in which the university was located until that time. One of the famous students was Johann Wolfgang Goethe.
Opera It was built on the site of the New Theater destroyed during the war. At the opening in 1960, they staged The Meistersingers by Wagner, who was born in Leipzig. By the way, the bronze bust of Wagner stands behind the opera in a romantic square. The original was once made by Max Klinger at the beginning of the 20th century.
 |
| Opera |
Gewandhaus. The new Gewandhaus was built in 1981. The foyer and the concert hall are decorated with music-themed paintings. Leipzig's most important concert hall in terms of music. The first concerts were organized by merchants on the top floor of the cloth house in 1743. On November 25, 1781, the first concert hall was opened, whose fame spread throughout the world after Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy became bandmaster there. A new monument was unveiled to him in front of the Gewandhaus building, replacing the old one destroyed by the Nazis. Not far on Goldschmidstrasse is the Mendelssohn Museum.
 |
| The second building of the Gewandhaus |
Leipzig train station also applies to the sights of the city. It recently celebrated its centenary. The length of the facade is 298 meters. 21 tracks, the length of the platform connecting all the tracks is 267 meters. The confusing history of the railway itself: there were branches of trains from Prussia and trains from Saxony. Everything was once clearly divided, so a new and large station was required. And although the railway connection between Dresden and Leipzig was opened in 1839, the station was built in 1915, and there are only 2 here: two entrances, two facades, two waiting rooms. This is precisely the result of the fact that part of the tracks belonged to Saxony, and part to Prussia: the "Saxon-Prussian railway war."
In 2006, work was carried out to reconstruct the station, and now everything is much simpler: an old building with modern filling and a huge shopping center.
Russian church St. Alexis stands near the area where the Battle of the Nations took place - one of the hardest battles against Napoleon in 1813. The church serves not only as a temple, but also as a reminder of the Russian soldiers who died in the battle. In terms of its architecture, this is a hipped-roof church, the model of which was the Church of the Ascension in Kolomenskoye.
Monument to the Battle of Nations - a huge monument was built in 15 years by 1913 for the anniversary of the 100th anniversary of the victory over Napoleon. The massive colossus, built for the centenary of the battle of nations, is made of granite, cost 6 million gold marks and weighs a huge number of tons.
 |
| Monument to the Battle of Nations |
The monument is richly decorated with various sculptures and bas-reliefs, reminding us of the victory over Napoleon. Inside, the room is divided into 3 parts: the crypt - honoring the memory of the dead, the hall of fame - praising the victory of the coalition and military qualities, and the dome - showing the return of the soldiers home.
 |
| Monument to the Battle of Nations |
The sights of Leipzig do not end there. In the city itself and its environs you can find many interesting palaces and castles, churches and cities. Saxony is an interesting country.
In free time from obligatory sights:
In addition to visiting the recommended museums and sightseeing listed, take a stroll through the arcades. There are 19 of them left, and I told you about three of them, go around Old city along the boulevard: a beautiful park has been laid out on the site of the fortress walls, where you can spend time among the greenery, at the same time find monuments to prominent people associated with the city. You already know where the monument to Goethe is, but where there is Goethe, you can also find Schiller, go in search of him. Yes, and the old monument to Bach has not gone anywhere, and the house of Mendelssohn Bartholdy, and the first skyscraper. built in the twenties.
Or in general, yes, all these houses and shops, go to
Leipzig (Germany) is one of the largest cities in Saxony. It has always been one of the most important and dynamic cities in all of Germany. Its fairs are a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages, and its cultural life has always influenced the rest of the country, especially after industrialization. During the communist period, the city of Leipzig was a leader in matters of trade and culture. And the famous "Monday Demonstration" began the peaceful revolution of 1989, which ended with the fall of the Berlin Wall.
The architectural features and monuments of the city have been shaped for centuries under the influence of the economic and spiritual life of Europe and have now become part of the Leipzig atmosphere. Beautiful restored historic passages stand out in the compact city center. The character of Leipzig is a combination of trade, culture and lively pubs, open until the last guest.
In Germany, the city of Leipzig is also famous for its musical history. Not only Johann Sebastian Bach lived and is buried here, although it is not known for sure whether his body is in the Thomaskirche, as it is believed. He was reburied several times, as the church where his remains were buried was heavily bombed during the war. In addition, Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy and Robert Schumann and their wife Clara lived in Leipzig for a long time.
The map of Leipzig shows that the city is rich in sights with an interesting history. For example, the Renaissance building of the Old Town Hall has been preserved, in which John Sebastian Bach signed an agreement to work as cantor of the nearest church of St. Thomas. The church became the main place of creativity of the great composer; world premieres of his most famous compositions took place here. A huge organ with 4 manuals has also been saved.
St. Nicholas' Church became world famous in 1989 when it launched the "peace revolution" that paved the way for German reunification. And following in the footsteps of Goethe, you can come to the Auerbach Cellar. The Monument to the Battle of the Nations (Völkerschlachtdenkmal) is the largest monument in the country with an observation deck at a height of 91 m, dedicated to the battle of the anti-French coalition forces with Napoleon's army in 1813.
The museum in the Mendelssohn House is dedicated to the memory of the former Kapellmeister Gewandhaus. The Grassi Museum complex (Grassimuseum) on Johanni Square included the Museum of Musical Instruments, the Museum of Decorative and Applied Arts and the Ethnographic Museum. The Museum of Fine Arts in a spectacular new building is a comprehensive selection of European art from the 15th to the 20th century. Worthy of attention Printing Museum, German Appropriations Museum (Deutsches Kleingärtnermuseum Leipzig), Leipzig University Antiquities Collection, Bach Archive, Saxon State Museum
Music became Leipzig's hallmark, as so many of the world's talents were created in this city. Their music and other works by modern and ancient composers are heard in the halls of the Opera, many theaters, cabaret, philharmonic. And jazz cellars represent the newest and most advanced trends.
There are many places in the city where you can relax in the bosom of nature. Leipzig meadows - unique solution among European landscape parks, they stretch across the entire city from north to south, being an ideal place for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding. Favorite places of rest of the townspeople are the Clara Zetkin Park, the Scheibenholz Hippodrome, Rosenthal Park, the Botanical Garden with a collection of butterflies and the Leipzig Zoo. In addition, it is worth visiting the Belantim amusement park, located at the gates of the city.
The beginning of the history of the future city of Lepzig was laid by a small Slavic settlement Lipsk which appeared at the beginning of the 10th century. About 250 years later, Margrave Meissen Ottone The rich man granted Leipzig city rights.
Today Leipzig is an important industrial and cultural center in Germany. Mechanical engineering, chemical, clothing, fur and fur industries and other sectors of the economy are well established here. The city is home to the headquarters of many of the country's media representatives. In addition to business life, Leipzig is famous for its rich cultural heritage. Far beyond the borders of the country is known the oldest educational institution Germany - Leipzig University, founded in 1409. At one time they studied here Goethe, Nietzsche, Leibniz, and even the current chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel.
World fame brought Leipzig its famous native Johann Sebastian Bach- a great composer and the best organist of all times and peoples. V different years many people lived and worked in Leipzig famous people: I. Bach, F. Nietzsche, G. Hertz, I. Goethe, G. Leibniz, R. Wagner and many others.
“And Leipzig is little Paris. There is a special raid on everyone here, you will distinguish us from a thousand "
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
The favorable geographical position of Leipzig at the crossroads of the main roads connecting West and East played an important role in the development of the city. Leipzig has long been considered an excellent place for numerous fairs. This good tradition has been preserved to this day. This Saxon city also hosts annual festivals of short films and documentaries, concerts and music festivals.
All year round, Leipzig welcomes more than one million tourists who want to get acquainted with the unusual traditions of the locals, with their cultural heritage.
Region |
East Germany |
|
Population |
531,809 people (as of 2011) |
|
Population density |
1787 people/km 2 |
|
Timezone |
UTC+1, summer UTC+2 |
|
Postal code |
|
|
International dialing code |
Climate and weather
Leipzig's weather conditions are temperate continental. The winter period in Leipzig is quite mild compared to other cities. The average temperature varies from -5 °C to +7 °C. Summer in the city is warm and very humid. The air during this period warms up to +23 °C. It is worth noting that the weather in Leipzig is extremely unstable. Very often in winter there are rains and temperatures of +10 °C, and the next day the air can cool down to -10 °C.
The best time to visit amazing Leipzig is summer. Comfortable weather and an abundance of greenery will allow you to enjoy a great vacation in the ancient Saxon city.
Nature
Leipzig is located in the center of the lowland of the same name. Rivers flow nearby Parthe, Neue Luppe, Pleisse and Weisse Elster. The landscapes of Leipzig lack the majesty inherent in the south of Saxony with its hills and mountains, but magnificent blue lakes and rivers give a special attraction to this region.
The surroundings of Leipzig are covered with numerous forests, parks and gardens, where you can wonderfully relax both body and soul. The northern part of Saxony is dominated by mixed forests, where mainly lindens, spruces, oaks, hornbeams, pines and other trees grow. Small vegetation is represented by meadow grasses and flowers. Foxes, hares, wild boars, squirrels and other rodents live in the forests around Leipzig. And in the rivers of Northern Saxony, carp and trout are found.
The Leipzig park is the most popular place of rest for citizens and tourists. Neuseenland”, which invites everyone to bask on its magnificent sandy beaches and swim in the clearest water. This park is famous for its numerous sports and entertainment complexes, which provide an opportunity to try one or another type of outdoor activity.
sights
Leipzig is a city with 1000 years of history. Of course, there are simply a huge number of remarkable places that are important for the culture of the city. On the territory of Leipzig there are more than 15,000 monuments of various subjects, which makes it "the monument capital of Germany".
The most famous symbol of Leipzig is considered to be a monument "Battle of the Nations", which was erected in 1913 in honor of the soldiers who fell in the famous battle against Napoleon. Next to the monument is the Russian Orthodox Church.
All major architectural sights are located in the historical center. The Old Town Hall, built in the 16th century in the Renaissance style, attracts attention. This building is interesting in that its tower is somewhat offset from the axis. Today, the building of the Old Town Hall houses the Museum of the History of the City, where you can see amazing collections with unique exhibits from the 11th century.
The symbol of Leipzig's economic prosperity was the New Town Hall, built about 100 years ago. The facade of the building, decorated with numerous sculptures and turrets, is impressive.
The religious heritage of Germany is widely represented in Leipzig. Attracts the attention of tourists the oldest city temple - the church Saint Nicholas built in the 12th century. But the most famous is the church. Saint Thomas built in the 14th century in the Gothic style. It was in this temple that the famous boys' choir was located, which was led by the great composer I. Bach for more than 25 years. Here, the remains of the famous organist rest on the altar.
The unique architectural monument is considered Golicer Castle. The majestic mansion impresses with the richness of its interior decoration. In Leipzig there is also a house-museum F. Mendelssohn kept in its original form. The composer's personal belongings (furniture, sheet music, letters, portraits, etc.) are exhibited here.
When visiting Leipzig, you should definitely look into the described by Goethe in "Fauste" wine cellar Auerbachskeller.
The most interesting museums of the city also attract attention - the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Ancient History and others. The rich cultural life of Lepzig is symbolized by the famous Philharmonic Gewandhaus, drama theatre Schauspielhaus, the opera house and numerous cabarets, the performances of which will remain in your memory for a long time.
Nutrition
Attractive restaurants, cafes and other gastronomic establishments are located in Leipzig at every step. original design and, of course, the restaurant stands out with an incomparable menu Stadtpfeiffer. Having walked a lot in the botanical garden, you can have a delicious lunch in a wonderful restaurant located nearby Zunftkeller. The menu of these restaurants offers huge selection delicious national Saxon cuisine. Excellent roast beef soaked in vinegar and spices, roast beef with raisin sauce, meat dumplings and other dishes will delight any gourmet. Air cakes are considered to be a classic Leipzig dish. Lerchen, buns Reformationsbrotchen, curd balls Quarkkeulchen. But the most popular dish in this Saxon city is Leipziger Allerley- vegetable mix. Literally, the name of this dish is translated as “Leipzig stuff”.
Fans of European cuisine can also be recommended to visit the delicious Italian restaurant Da Vito. Next to the Old Town Hall is a great international restaurant. On the menu of this establishment, you can see Saxon roasts, Russian borscht, French soups, Italian pasta, and Japanese sushi. The breadth of the choice of drinks in the bar of the restaurant is amazing.
The restaurant is also popular. Seasons where chefs offer visitors to try familiar dishes according to new recipes. A huge selection of elite wines and cognacs will delight connoisseurs of these drinks.
Leipzig boasts relatively low prices for food in restaurants. The average price for lunch is 15-25 €. You can have a bite to eat in one of the many cafes for 10 €.
Residence
Beautiful ancient Leipzig offers a wide range of hotels for tourists to stay. Most of the hotels located here are classified as 4 *. The most popular tourist establishments are Royal International Leipzig, Best Western Hotel Leipzig City Center and Steigenberger Grandhotel Handelshof Leipzig. The clients of these hotels are provided with magnificent spacious rooms with a full range of necessary furniture and technology. Each room has satellite TV, internet, refrigerator, air conditioning, private bathroom. In addition, for an additional fee, customers can use the services gyms, saunas, fitness clubs, spas and other sports and entertainment facilities of hotels. The cost of living in such hotels varies from 90 € to 200 € per day.
There are also many cheaper accommodation options. Inexpensive hostels and guesthouses also offer quite comfortable rooms, the prices of which are significantly lower than those of famous hotels. One day will cost 50-120 €.
Entertainment and recreation
In addition to the cultural program in the wonderful theaters and museums of the city and visits to the main attractions, Leipzig offers a huge selection of sporting events. Many tourists, especially young people, prefer active recreation. Exciting hiking and cycling tours in the picturesque surroundings of Leipzig are especially popular. Unforgettable experiences await you in beautiful amusement and recreation parks with many attractions and sports fields. Especially in such parks, frisky kids will like it. Families with young children should definitely visit the famous Leipzig Zoo. More than 1000 individuals of different representatives of the European fauna live in this picturesque place. Young guests here are offered not only to get to know the animals better, but also to feed them and even take pictures as a keepsake.
Fans of eco-tourism will undoubtedly enjoy the amazing park Wildpark Leipzig. In its dense shadow you can hide from summer heat. There are a huge number of equipped picnic areas.
The most popular entertainment center not only among citizens, but also among foreign guests is considered Kinobar Prager Fruehling. A huge number of attractions game rooms, restaurants and bars will delight even an adult, but there is nothing to say about kids. You can get another portion of adrenaline in your blood in the extreme amusement park Belantis.
For several years now, Leipzig has been hosting one of the most unusual and major holidays - Wave-Gotik-Treffen(festival of gothic culture). Several tens of thousands of fans of this subculture from all over the world come to Leipzig for four days. The festival is accompanied by theatrical performances, concerts and other events related to Gothic culture.
Purchases
Leipzig has been famous for its trade fairs for about a millennium. Here are the largest shopping areas in all of Saxony. The main shopping street is Peterstrasse. According to some experts, it is this street that is considered the most visited in all of Germany. Numerous shops are located here - from elite boutiques to small souvenir shops. You can lighten your wallet on the streets Nikolaistrasse, Grimmaische Strasse and Hainstrasse.
Unforgettable shopping will provide you with 45 passages of Leipzig. The most popular are Mädlerpassage, Messehaus Passage, Koenigshaus Passage and Speck's Hof Passage. Here you can enjoy not only pleasant shopping, but also the unusual architecture of buildings.
The largest shopping area in Leipzig is the famous " Promenade", located in the building of the central railway station. More than 140 shops, restaurants and cafes are open to the public until 22:00. A huge glass dome will protect you from bad weather.
Numerous flea markets are scattered throughout the city, offering visitors a variety of goods at the lowest prices. Seasonal markets are in demand before the holidays. But the most famous is the Leipzig Christmas Market, which opens in the last week of November and surprises passers-by with its fragrant pastries and incomparable punch until Christmas itself.
Transport
According to statistics, Leipzig is one of the ten cities in Europe with the most comfortable public transport. City passenger transportation is provided by numerous bus and tram routes that cover the entire territory of the city. Public transport tickets must be purchased in advance. It is best to buy a day pass that allows you to travel on all modes of transport all day long. Such a ticket costs only 5 €.
Some tourists prefer to travel around the city by taxi. It is worth noting that in Germany this transport is quite expensive. One trip around the center of Leipzig can cost 10 €.
Leipzig is an important railway junction that connects West and East Germany. High-speed trains Leipzig is connected with major cities in Germany (Frankfurt, Dresden, Munich, Berlin, Hamburg, Dresden). The average cost of traveling by train is about 60 €.
Near Leipzig there is an airport that serves not only domestic, but also international flights. By air, the city is connected with large settlements not only in Germany, but also in neighboring countries. Flights are provided by such famous airlines as Lufthansa, AirBerlin, German WingsandCondor and cirrus.
Connection
The communication and telecommunications system in Leipzig is established on the basis of modern technologies. Many media outlets use the city as a base for their headquarters. Cellular communication has been intensively developed. Over the years excellent work mobile communications in Leipzig provide more than a dozen cellular companies. Russian operators have access to roaming service in Leipzig. An outgoing call to Russian cities will cost about 2 € per minute.
In terms of popularity among the population, network technologies, which have been intensively developed all over the world, are slowly taking the leading position. A huge number of Internet cafes, equipped with modern technology, offer visitors a wide range of services. One hour of using the Internet will cost 3 €. Clients of large hotels can use free wireless Internet Wi-Fi.
The fixed telephone network is not forgotten here either. With the help of a payphone (and there are more than enough of them on city streets), you can make an international call. To do this, you can use coins or phone cards that are available in any mall, store or kiosk. Their cost depends on the number of minutes provided and varies from 3 € to 20 €.
Safety
Beautiful Leipzig is considered one of the safest cities in East Germany. Most of the crimes committed are petty theft and fraud.
Foreign tourists are strongly advised not to take with them on excursions and recreational activities large sums money, do not wear expensive jewelry. It would be wiser to leave valuables in the hotel, so as not to attract the attention of cunning pickpockets.
Business climate
Leipzig is considered one of the most convenient cities for business development. It is perfect for organizing the largest exhibitions, fairs and other events. Exhibition activities bring about a quarter of all income to the city's economy.
Most investors prefer to invest in commercial real estate. Supermarkets, shopping centers and complexes bring substantial profits to their owners. The experience of building modern hotel complexes and car dealerships is also practiced. After all, Saxony is famous for its huge number of automotive enterprises. Such objects bring a net income of 8% per annum, and this is a good indicator of profitability.
The property
Leipzig real estate is attractive to foreign buyers not only because of its beautiful geographic location, mild climate, developed economy, but also low prices compared to the cities of West Germany. Often, residential premises in Leipzig are two, three, or even four times lower than in Munich or Frankfurt am Main. True, buying a home in this wonderful Saxon city is very, very difficult. The offer is limited due to the fact that almost no new houses are being built, and objects appearing on the secondary market are sold out very quickly.
Prices for new apartments in Leipzig are about 3,500 € per square meter, for secondary housing you will have to pay from 2,000 € to 2,800 € - depending on the area where the dwelling is located.
The rental housing market has become very popular in Leipzig. So, for a one-room comfortable apartment, you need to pay about 600-800 € per month.
Beautiful Leipzig has everything you need for a pleasant and exciting holiday: a huge number of historical sights, rich cultural life, amazing nature, entertainment. However, it is worth remembering that the weather in the city is extremely unstable. Therefore, going on vacation to this wonderful Saxon town, you need to take care of a set of warm clothes.
The purchase of souvenirs is carried out only for the national currency - the euro. You can exchange foreign money both at home and in any bank in the city.
The excellent quality of Leipzig's roads allows many foreigners to take advantage of the unique opportunity to drive around the legendary streets of the beautiful city in a rented car. To draw up a rental agreement, the driver must provide an international certificate, a passport and the required deposit.
Leipzig is one of the cleanest cities in Germany. The order here is monitored both day and night. For a cigarette butt or a piece of paper carelessly thrown past the urn, you can get a large fine here.
Leipzig is a unique city with its own history and famous inhabitants, ancient cathedrals and museums. I can say with confidence that in terms of attractiveness it can compete with London, Berlin and even Brussels or Florence. As the largest city in the federal state of Saxony, Leipzig annually attracts tourists with its popular open-air markets and markets. Now I’ll tell you what sights of Leipzig I liked, I’ll introduce you to useful information about them and with incredibly beautiful photos. You will also find out where it would be interesting to spend a family vacation and how to have a good time in Leipzig if you only have one day.
Cultural and historical sights of Leipzig with descriptions and photos
city architecture
Surprised me a bit appearance renaissance style old town hall on the market square in the historic district of Leipzig. The structure dates from the end of the 16th century and was built on the site of a previous building. Since it has undergone various reconstructions several times, not only the Renaissance, but also late Gothic with hints of Baroque is observed in the appearance of the building. Although, nevertheless, it secured the Renaissance style, becoming one of the most valuable objects in this style. Previously, the local mayor's office was located here, but later, having moved to a new building, the place was taken by the museum of the history of the city.
A similar Renaissance style can be seen in Castle Hartenfels, located in the small German town of Torgau. The construction of this magnificent building was completed in the 15th century, for which Konrad Pfluger, a student of Arnold Westphalia, was responsible. Found out that this castle is the largest well-preserved building in Germany from the early renaissance. The complex has a chapel founded by Nikolai Groman in the first half of the 16th century. It is believed that the building was used by the first Protestant church in the world. Today the castle looks quite luxurious, as evidenced by the fact that it hosted the shooting of a famous German film. 
In the same Torgau, I liked its historical fortress of the 17th-18th centuries. I would even say that this is not just a fortress - it is a whole city, but only partially preserved. In 1811, on the initiative of Napoleon Bonaparte, the fortress was expanded, starting the construction of additional fortifications and conducting water to it. Later it was abandoned and destroyed almost to the ground. Currently, there are not so many survivors of the fortress. The walled city has its popularity due to the medieval city walls in the Garden Street area, part of the casemates of Bastion II, the battlement towers of the railway bridge and structures to control and supply the flow of water. In addition, Fort Zinna houses a modern prison.
Walking through Torgau, do not pass by the city hall with a rather interesting historical past.
Monuments of Leipzig
I didn't find many monuments in the city, but the ones that do exist are quite impressive. In honor of the so-called "Battle of the Nations", which took place in Leipzig in 1813, a Monument to the Battle of Nations. 
The liberation wars of the Austrians, Swedes, Prussians and Russians led to the defeat of the French army of Bonaparte. In 1898, the Berlin architect undertook the construction of the monument, and by the centenary of the Battle of the Nations in 1913, it was inaugurated. In the arsenal of the almost hundred-meter monument is the Napoleon stone, which has become part of the general complex, and several observation platforms: 500 steps lead to the upper one, and two elevators to the middle one. Inside the monument, I discovered the Hall of Fame, the ceiling of which is decorated with 324 horsemen, and 4 statues of "commemorators", which have become a symbol of courage, national power, the strength of faith and selflessness. 
In memory of the great writer and politician Goethe, a monument was erected in the city center near the Old Town Hall and the Market Square. From 1765 to 1768 he studied at the local university. The monument is represented by a full-length figure of Goethe, placed on a high marble stone. This creates the impression that the great poet, walking through the squares and streets of the city, was thinking about the new lines of his works. 
Bach monument in Leipzig
Couldn't stop at bronze monument to Bach, mounted on a shell rock plinth and a little over 3 meters high. It was planned to create it in 1885 for the 200th anniversary of the composer, but, alas, the idea was implemented only 23 years later in 1908, not far from the Church of St. Thomas. This project was financed by both local authorities and private donors. The sculptor Karl Zeffner managed to successfully create a sculpture of Bach, standing in front of an organ that holds in right hand a scroll of notes and looks into the distance, reflecting on the creation of new works.
Did you know? Nearby is a small monument to Bach dating back to 1843. It is considered the world's first monument to the great composer.
Religious buildings in Leipzig
The oldest church in the city is Church of St. Nicholas- the famous cradle of the peaceful revolution of the second half of the 20th century in the GDR. At that time, the parishioners, in protest of the then existing regime, walked around the city, holding candles in their hands. The temple was rebuilt several times, so the architecture of the church shows a wonderful mixture of renaissance, gothic and neoclassicism. This church attracted me with its ancient organ and magnificent paintings by the famous artist Adam Ezer. 
It was in the Church of St. Nicholas that the premiere of the musical composition "Passion according to John" by the world-famous composer Johann Sebastian Bach took place.
Surprisingly beautiful was a copy of the Ascension Church in Kolomenskoye - St. Alexis Church-monument of Russian Glory. And this is thanks to white plastered walls with high narrow windows, a tower with carved ornaments, a gilded dome with a cross and seven bells cast from military items of soldiers. The interior decoration pleased with the mosaic icon of the Lord Almighty. In addition, in the lower hall of the temple there is a tomb of several Russian commanders. 
Also take the time to look around St. Thomas Church in the historical part of the city and Church of St. Mary near the manor Stötteritz.
Museums in Leipzig
Among not a small number of museums in the city, I especially liked one of the oldest museums in the country - Leipzig Museum of Applied Arts. The museum has about 90 thousand exhibits. Among the exposition you can see ceramic, textile, glass and hardware, as well as furniture and various old coins. In addition, the museum has a collection of graphics, its own photo archive and library. 
No less interesting was Leipzig Museum of Ethnography founded in 1869. Pleased the museum with its main exposition - the collection of the historian Gustav Klemm. The museum's collection is considered one of the largest ethnographic collections in the country. It represented by over 200 thousand objects East and Southeast Asia, Oceania, Australia, Africa, Middle East, America and Europe.
In addition, I was very impressed Museum of Antiquities of the University of Leipzig with its 10,000th antique collection. The collection is based on antiques acquired by the university in the 18th century. At first, only antique coins could be seen in the museum, gems and plaster casts, but then it was replenished with Greek and Etruscan vases, numerous oil lamps, terracotta and rare sculptures. 
I also recommend visiting the following museums in the city:
- Museum of Natural History on Lortzingstrasse;
- museum of the history of Leipzig in the building of the Old Town Hall;
- Museum of Musical Instruments of the University of Leipzig on Johannisplatz Street;
- art museum on Katharinenstrasse.
What to see a tourist in Leipzig in 1 day
Leipzig is not such a small city. It has enough interesting attractions, and if you use a properly planned itinerary list, you will be able to visit many impressive places in just one day:
- Bach Museum with the composer's manuscripts and listening to his works;
- Church of St. Nicholas– the oldest building in Leipzig;
- Golicer Castle with a sophisticated interior and a beautiful exterior;
- Mendelssohn's house with personal belongings, manuscripts and documents, scores and even watercolor paintings by a famous composer;
- art Museum with an incredibly rich collection of exhibits in Germany;
- Russian church- a church-monument to the dead 23 thousand Russian soldiers;
- St. Thomas Church with one of the oldest boys' choirs in the country;
- monument to the battle of nations with an observation deck and a large exhibition hall.
What to see in Leipzig with kids
Here you can entertain your baby and spend an unforgettable vacation with the whole family. Here is a short route that will provide a pleasant pastime.
- Visit the fairly large Leipzig Zoo with 10,000 different animals, the largest aquarium in Europe, and the largest primate nursery in the world, Pongoland.
- Take a ride on the Leipziger Stadtrundfahrten sightseeing bus and introduce your child to the historical sights of the city.
- Take a stroll through the Clara-Zetkin-Park and Wildpark Leipzig, where you can see a lot of interesting things.
- Visit two original museums - Panometer Leipzig with art programs on various topics and the Museum of Ethnology with stuffed rare animals and skeleton fragments of prehistoric creatures.
Video about Leipzig will give many interesting discoveries and a lot of impressions from the unique museums, architectural monuments and other attractions of this city.
