Once a grey East German city, this metropolis now buzzes with life. Gothic churches, lively squares, and a famous opera house await visitors. Try Leipziger Allerlei, a local veggie-meat dish.
Leipzig, a city in eastern Germany, has deep roots in classical music and played a significant role in recent German history. You can visit St. Thomas Church, where Johann Sebastian Bach worked as a choirmaster, or attend a concert by the world-renowned Gewandhaus Orchestra. The city was at the center of the 1989 Peaceful Revolution, which you can learn about at the Contemporary History Forum. As you explore Leipzig, you'll find a mix of Renaissance and Baroque buildings alongside modern galleries housed in former industrial spaces. The lively neighborhoods of Plagwitz and Südvorstadt offer numerous cafes, bars, and shops to discover.
Classical Music in Leipzig
Johann Sebastian Bach worked as the choirmaster at St. Thomas Church for nearly three decades. At the Bach Museum, you'll find exhibits about his life and compositions. The Gewandhaus Orchestra, founded in 1743, performs regularly in the city. You can listen to the St. Thomas Boys Choir, which has been singing for over 800 years.
Contemporary Art in Former Factories
The Spinnerei, once a cotton mill, now contains over 100 artist studios, 11 galleries, and various shops within its industrial walls. You might see artists like Neo Rauch working in their studios here. The Museum of Fine Arts displays paintings from the 15th century to the present day. At the Panometer, massive panoramic images fill a former gasometer, creating a 360-degree visual display.
Leipzig's Role in German Reunification
In 1989, Leipzig became the center of the Peaceful Revolution. The Monday Demonstrations, which began at St. Nicholas Church, grew from a few hundred participants to tens of thousands. These protests contributed to the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of Germany. You can learn about this period at the Contemporary History Forum and the Stasi Museum in the "Round Corner" building.
Parks and Lakes in Leipzig
The Leipziger Auwald, a riparian forest, extends through the city. You can walk or cycle through its paths. South of Leipzig, the Neuseenland area has lakes created from former open-cast mines. In summer, these lakes become active spots for swimming, sailing, and other water activities.
Local Cuisine and Drinks
Try "Leipziger Allerlei," a local dish made with carrots, peas, asparagus, and often crayfish. For a traditional drink, order a Gose, a sour beer that originated in the region. The Barfußgässchen area in the city center has many restaurants and bars where you can spend an evening.
Transportation in Leipzig
Leipzig has a network of trams and buses for public transportation. The city center is compact enough to explore on foot. To visit areas further out, you can rent a bike. As a major rail hub, Leipzig has frequent train connections to other German cities like Berlin and Dresden.
