Sights and landmarks in Leipzig

Sights and landmarks in Leipzig

1. See

   Asisi Panometer

   Huge panoramic picture surrounding the viewer. The theme changes from time to time. It was built as a gas storage tank.

   Tue–Fri 09:00–21:00; Sat Sun & bank holidays 10:00–20:00; Mon closed·€10

2. See

   Bayerischer Bahnhof

   Germany's oldest preserved railway station, built in 1842, only 7 years after the first train line of Germany had been opened. The station is no longer in use but one can still view the portal. In the course of the construction of the city tunnel the entire portal was moved away and later relocated to its original place. A new underground station is used by all S-Bahn-trains.

3. See

   Deutsche Nationalbibliothek

   The national library of Germany collects works published in Germany or in the German language. It consists of three buildings from different epochs: the original main building opened in 1916 with two later extensions integrated, a windowless depot tower from the late 1970s/early 1980s, and book-shaped fourth extension. The centre of the main building is a large reading room worth a visit just for its atmosphere. If you wish to use the library or just move around freely you will have to pay a fee and provide government-issued photo ID. If you ask the security guards nicely, they may accompany you to the entrance of the reading room and let you glimpse into it. No photography.

   Mon–Fri 08:00–22:00; Sat 09:00–18:00·€5 for day pass (photo ID required); brief glimpse into reading room free

4. See

   Exhibition centre

   Leipzig has a long tradition of trade fairs, once having hosted the first and biggest sample fair in Central Europe. The modern exhibition centre was one of the major business investments and architectural innovations of the 1990s post-reunification period ("Aufbau Ost", i.e. "developing the East"). It consists of the distinctive glass hall (a landmark when entering Leipzig from the north), five exhibition halls and a conference centre. In addition to numerous exhibitions and conferences that are only of interest to businesspeople and experts, there is a number of popular fairs geared to the general public, namely the Leipzig book fair (March; cf. ), House–Garden–Leisure (February), Model–Hobby–Games (late-September/early-October), and Tourism & Caravaning (November).

5. See

   Grassi Museum

   Includes the Museum of Applied Arts, the Museum of Musical Instruments, and Museum of Ethnology.

   €4–5 per museum

6. See

   Jägerhofpassage

   Calm atmosphere in the middle of the city. Inside you'll find the arthouse cinema Passage Kinos.

7. See

   Leipzig Zoo

   This is one of the largest and best known zoos in Germany. In a survey of zoos by Anthony Sheridan, it was ranked first in Germany and second in Europe. The new elephants' enclosure has a swimming pool where you can watch them bathing from under the water level. Visit the Gondwanaland tropical species exhibit, where animals and visitors are not separated by either fence or pane, and the monkey house.

   Adult €22

8. See

   Leipziger Baumwollspinnerei

   A converted cotton mill in the Plagwitz industrial district, today providing work and exhibition rooms to artists.

9. See

   Mendelssohn House

   Former home of composer Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy. Regular concerts are held every Sunday at 11:00.

   Daily 10:00-18:00·€7.50 adults, €6 concessions; free entry every second Th of the month; Sunday concert tickets generally are €15/€10

10. See

    Museum der bildenden Künste

    Museum of Fine Arts, "Bildermuseum"

    Housed in a glass cube, this museum features paintings from the 15th century through today. Highlights include paintings by local artists Max Beckman and Max Klinger, as well as Caspar David Friedrich, Lucas Cranach the Younger, and Claude Monet.

    Permanent collection: €5 adults; temporary exhibitions: €8; combined ticket: €10; free entry every first Wednesday of the month

11. See

    Museum in der "Runden Ecke"

    Stasi museum

    Housed in the former headquarters of the GDR secret police, the Stasi, this is an interesting museum documenting the Stasi and its methods of controlling and manipulating the people. Displays are in German; there is not much English inside. €5 admission fee includes audioguide, English available.

    Daily 10:00–18:00·€5

12. See

    Mädlerpassage

    Upscale shops and bars. The entrance to Auerbachs Keller is inside. Forms a bigger system with Königshauspassage and Messehofpassage.

13. See

    Naturkundemuseum

    Museum of natural history

    The museum of natural history, filled with all kinds of taxidermy creatures.

    Tue-Sun 09:00-18:00

14. See

    New Town Hall

    Neues Rathaus

    Seat of the municipal government since 1905. The building also features a 115-m tower which can be accessed by tour M-F at 14:00.

    Tower tour: €3

15. See

    Nikolaikirche

    Leipzig's largest church. Starting point for the peaceful revolution on October 9, 1989, when 600 Socialist Unity Party members, who were sent to break up the protest, joined the protesters. Every Monday at 17:00 since 1982, the church holds peace prayers.

    Mon-Fri 11:30-18:00 Sat 11:00-16:00 Sun: 11:30-14:30·Admission free, donations welcome

16. See

    Old Town Hall

    Altes Rathaus

    Built in 1556 in the Renaissance style and remains one of Germany's largest. The position of the tower follows the ancient ideal of "golden mean". Located on the pretty main square of the city, it is 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 m long with arcades (1906–09), six gables and a tower. In the 18th century the tower was enlarged and it received a Baroque spire. Until 1904 the Old City Hall was home of the city administration. Then it became home of the city museum. The first floor deals with the history of Leipzig from early times to the 1813 Battle of the Nations - while the second floor continues from industrialisation to the present. Most impressive is the huge Banqueting Hall with Renaissance interior (open fireplaces). 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. Also interesting: the treasure chamber (steep and narrow staircase!) This Renaissance building was erected in just nine months in 1556–57 under the direction of the architect Hieronymus Lotter. The municipal government moved into the New Town Hall in 1909. If you have a bit of luck you are allowed to visit the cellar of the building. Here you find the chamber of torture and the jail. 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. It contains interesting information regarding the public executions that used to take place in the market in front of the city hall. The most famous execution was that of Woyzeck, which was made famous by the Büchner play and the opera of Alban Berg. The interior of the Old City Hall (built in 1556) is far more interesting than the

    Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00, Mon closed·Free. Although you still have to obtain a ticket!

17. See

    Panorama Tower

    City-Hochhaus, Uniriese

    Leipzig's highest building has a restaurant and an observation platform at its top with a great view over the town.

    Restaurant: Mon–Fri 11:00–00:00, Sat 11:00–01:00, Sun 11:00–23:00; observation platform open from 09:00·€5 (observation platform)

18. See

    Plagwitz

    An industrial district whose time of glory has passed. Many of its factories died a slow death during the GDR years, which suddenly became visible with the reunification of Germany. Today it is a mixture of old industrial buildings, some in ruins and others repurposed; fallow land; and new developments. Walk around Karl-Heine Straße between Felsenkeller and the railway station Bahnhof Plagwitz, Weißenfelser Straße and Gießerstraße to get a feeling for the place, or walk the path alongside the Karl-Heine Kanal. May appear a bit spooky at night.

19. See

    Propsteikirche St. Trinitatis

    Modern architecture in the style of New Objectivity, covered with a traditional red porphyr stone. Easily to be confused with a modern office building, this church dedicated in 2015 is the largest newly built church building in Eastern Germany since unification. The location is almost on historical ground, as the neighbouring New City Hall is on the spot of the medieval Pleissenburg, where Martin Luther defended his theses in the "Leipzig Debate" of 1519. The steeple, 50 m high, contrasts the (still much higher) tower of the New City Hall. During construction the official entrance had to be switched to the back side of the church, as otherwise the postal address would have been "Martin-Luther-Ring", which the Roman Church considered not appropriate and after an attempt to rename the street failed to the opposition of the city administration.

    09:00 - 18:00, outside services·Admission free, donations welcome

20. See

    Reichsgericht

    Bundesverwaltungsgericht

    Located across the ring southwest of the New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus), the appearance of this building resembles the original look of the Reichstag in Berlin. It was built from 1888 to 1895 for the Court of the German Empire (Reichsgericht), the highest court of the Reich. During the GDR years the building served a variety of uses and hosted the Museum der Bildenden Künste. After refurbishment, the Federal Administrative Court (Bundesverwaltungsgericht) moved into the Reichsgericht building in 2002. You can visit the entrance hall, the large courtroom, and the Reichsgerichtsmuseum with an exhibition on the history of the building. Visitor access may get restricted without prior notice if the work of the court requires it.

    Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00·Admission free; €1 for cloakroom or locker which is refunded

21. See

    Rundling

    Nibelungensiedlung

    Apartment houses in concentric circles, built in the late 1920s/early 1930s. Streets are named after characters from the "Song of the Nibelungs".

22. See

    Russische Gedächtniskirche

    Russian St. Alexej Memorial Church

    One of the many traces of the Napoleonic wars in and around Leipzig: a memorial church to the honours of Russian soldiers who died during the Napoleonic wars.

    Daily 10:00-16:00·Admission free, donations welcome

23. See

    Schiller House

    Former home of the poet Friedrich Schiller. This is the (purported) place where he authored the "Ode to Joy".

    Apr-Oct: Tue-Sun 10:00–17:00; Nov-Mar: Wed-Sun 11:00–16:00·Adults €3, reduced €2, children free

24. See

    Schumann House

    Former house of musicians and composers Clara and Robert Schumann.

    Mon-Fri 14:00–18:00, Sat Sun 10:00–18:00 (sound space only opened on weekends)·Adults €5, children free

25. See

    St. Thomas Church

    Thomaskirche

    The church where Johann Sebastian Bach worked as a cantor from 1723 until his death in 1750. His remains are buried under a bronze epitaph near the altar. The Bach Museum is next to the church. Regular concerts are given by the St. Thomas Boys Choir Fridays and Saturdays (see do section for details).

    Mon-Thu 10:00 - 18:00; Fri 10:00 - 16:00; Sat 10:00 - 13:30, 16:30 - 18:00; Sun 11:30 - 17:30; churchtower is open weekends only·Admission free, donations welcome

26. See

    Straßenbahnmuseum

    Tram museum

    Dozens of historic trolleys that once ran on Leipzig's tram network.

    May-Sep: 3rd Sun of the month 10:00-17:00·€3

27. See

    Torhaus Dölitz

    Exhibition of pewter figures in historically themed dioramas. The location, the gatehouse and only remainder of an old manor, was one of the hotspots in the battles of the Napoleonic wars.

    Wed Fri Sat 10:00–16:00 - subject to change, please call before·€3

28. See

    Tourist Information

    This office provides city maps, tour bookings, and expert advice on local sights and events. A variety of helpful leaflets and thematic brochures are also available for download on their website.

    Mon-Fri: 10:00-18:00; Sat-Sun: 10:00-15:00

29. See

    University of Leipzig Botanical Garden

    It's the oldest one in Germany and one of the first in the world.

    Gardens: Nov–Feb 09:00–16:00; Mar Apr Oct 09:00–18:00; May–Sep 09:00–20:00. Greenhouses: Oct–Apr Tue–Fri 13:00–16:00, Sat Sun 10:00–16:00; May–Sep open until 18:00

30. See

    Völkerschlachtdenkmal

    Monument to the Battle of the Nations

    At 91m tall, this is the biggest monument in Europe, commemorating the Battle of Leipzig in the Napoleonic Wars, in which the combined Prussian, Austrian, and Russian forces defeated Napoleon at a cost of 100,000 lives. The top platform can be visited (steep, narrow stairs). Every summer, the 'bath tub' race is held in the reflecting pool below. The monument itself was built for the first centennial of the battle and its design reflects the spirit of these times as well as numerous Masonic symbols given that the architect was a Freemason.

    Apr–Oct: 10:00–18:00, November–March 10:00–16:00·Adults €12, students & Leipzig Card holders €10, children under 6 free

31. See

    Zeitgeschichtliches Forum

    Opened in 1999, this is a museum about East Germany (the GDR). There is one permanent exhibition about the life in the GDR and the fall of the GDR; the other exhibition changes about every two months and has similar topics.

    Tue-Fri 09:00-18:00, Sat Sun 10:00-18:00, Mon closed·Free

32. See

    Zum Arabischen Coffe Baum

    A museum about coffee and coffee culture in Europe's oldest continuously operating coffee house.

    11:00–19:00·Free

33. See Not mapped

    Early highrise buildings

    You can see two early high-rise buildings (by the standards of their time) around Augustusplatz. One is the Krochhochaus on the western side of the square. The other is the Europahaus in the southeastern corner of the square, across the street from the Gewandhaus.

34. See Not mapped

    Meyersche Häuser

    Herrmann Julius Meyer, owner of a publishing company, initiated in the late 19th century several development projects to provide adequate but cheap housing to factory workers and their families.

35. See Not mapped

    Modern highrise buildings

    Besides the tower of the new townhall and the Völkerschlachtenkmal, three highrise buildings shape the skyline of Leipzig. The City-Hochhaus (Augustusplatz) was built as part of the university campus but sold to private investors in the 1990s. The Wintergartenhochhaus next to the Hauptbahnhof (Wintergartenstraße) is an apartment building. The Westin hotel was erected in the late 1970s and opened in 1981 as Hotel Merkur.

36. See Not mapped

    Stalin era architecture

    Curved to follow the street, huge like a castle -- Leipzig's most prominent relic of the Stalin era sits at the Ring next to the Gewandhaus.

37. See

    Bach-Museum

    about the composer Johann Sebastian Bach.

    Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00·€8 adults, €6 concessions; free entry every first Tu of the month

38. See

    Barthels Hof

    Hainstraße/Barfußgäßchen

39. See

    Deutsches Kleingärtnermuseum

    German Allotment Gardener`s Museum

    Aachener Str. 7, 04109

    Tue-Thu 10:00–16:00·€2

40. See

    Europahaus

    Augustusplatz 7

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Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Leipzig (CC BY-SA 4.0).