Cities
Leipzig

Leipzig

Germany

Leipzig is a city of profound contrasts, a place where the intricate harmonies of classical music and the hushed power of revolution coexist. It is not Germany’s largest metropolis, but its influence on European culture and history is monumental. Its soul is musical. This is the city of Johann Sebastian Bach, who served as the Thomaskantor for 27 years (1723–1750) at the St. Thomas Church (Thomaskirche), composing many of his masterworks here, and where his remains are interred. The St. Thomas Boys Choir (Thomanerchor) continues his legacy, its centuries-old tradition a living link to the Baroque era. Just as vital is the Gewandhaus Orchestra, one of the world's oldest and finest, founded by local merchants. This tradition attracted other giants: Felix Mendelssohn founded Germany's first conservatory here, and Robert and Clara Schumann made their home and music in the city’s vibrant intellectual scene. Leipzig’s music heritage is the sound of European genius. Yet, its most pivotal moment was a moment of silence and courage. In 1989, Leipzig became the unlikely epicenter of the Peaceful Revolution. For years, dissidents had gathered for weekly Prayers for Peace at the St. Nicholas Church (Nikolaikirche). These quiet gatherings swelled until, on October 9, 1989, over 70,000 people risked their lives to march around the city ring, facing down armed security forces. Their chant, "Wir sind das Volk!" ("We are the people!"), was not a violent roar, but a united demand for democracy. This non-violent protest, born from the strength found within a church, broke the will of the East German communist regime. Leipzig's “Monday Demonstrations” set the stage for the fall of the Berlin Wall a month later, earning it the nickname "Hero City." Beyond music and revolution, Leipzig is defined by commerce. As a medieval crossroads for the Via Regia and Via Imperii, it became a premier trade center, pioneering the modern Trade Fair (Messe) system. This mercantile spirit is visible today in the stunning Old Town Hall and the elegant shopping arcades like the Mädler-Passage, reflecting centuries of bourgeois prosperity.

What to see in Leipzig

Botanischer Garten der Universität Leipzig Botanischer Garten der Universität Leipzig Botanical Garden Moritzbastei Moritzbastei Castle Gohliser Schlösschen Gohliser Schlösschen Castle St. Thomas Church St. Thomas Church Church St. Nicholas Church Leipzig St. Nicholas Church Leipzig Church Galerie EIGEN + ART Galerie EIGEN + ART Gallery Galerie Laetitia Gorsy Galerie Laetitia Gorsy Gallery Galerie KK5 – Kunst Galerie KK5 – Kunst Gallery HGB Galerie HGB Galerie Gallery ASPN Galerie ASPN Galerie Gallery HALLE 14 HALLE 14 Gallery Galerie Tobias Naehring Galerie Tobias Naehring Gallery Akanthus Galerie im Westwerk Akanthus Galerie im Westwerk Gallery 47m Contemporary 47m Contemporary Gallery Raw Lemon Gallery Raw Lemon Gallery Gallery Reiter Galleries Reiter Galleries Gallery Alte Börse Alte Börse Historical Landmark Marktplatz Leipzig Marktplatz Leipzig Historical Landmark Cospudener See Cospudener See Lake Markkleeberger See Markkleeberger See Lake Külkwitzer See Külkwitzer See Lake Lindenauer Markt Lindenauer Markt Market Wochenmarkt Torgauer Platz Wochenmarkt Torgauer Platz Market Liebertwolkwitzer Markt Liebertwolkwitzer Markt Market Holocaust Memorial Leipzig Holocaust Memorial Leipzig Memorial Stadtgeschichtliches Museum Leipzig Stadtgeschichtliches Museum Leipzig Museum Museum der bildenden Künste Leipzig Museum der bildenden Künste Leipzig Museum G2 Kunsthalle Leipzig G2 Kunsthalle Leipzig Museum German Kleingarten Museum German Kleingarten Museum Museum Galerie für Zeitgenössische Kunst Leipzig Galerie für Zeitgenössische Kunst Leipzig Museum Deutsches Buch- und Schriftmuseum Deutsches Buch- und Schriftmuseum Museum Kustodie Kustodie Museum Naturkundemuseum Leipzig Naturkundemuseum Leipzig Museum GRASSI Museum für Angewandte Kunst Leipzig GRASSI Museum für Angewandte Kunst Leipzig Museum GRASSI Museum für Völkerkunde zu Leipzig GRASSI Museum für Völkerkunde zu Leipzig Museum GRASSI Musikinstrumentenmuseum der Universität Leipzig GRASSI Musikinstrumentenmuseum der Universität Leipzig Museum Schulmuseum Leipzig Schulmuseum Leipzig Museum Kindermuseum im Haus Böttchergässchen Kindermuseum im Haus Böttchergässchen Museum Inspirata Inspirata Museum UNIKATUM Kindermuseum Leipzig UNIKATUM Kindermuseum Leipzig Museum Völkerschlachtdenkmal und FORUM 1813 Völkerschlachtdenkmal und FORUM 1813 Museum Zeitgeschichtliches Forum Leipzig Zeitgeschichtliches Forum Leipzig Museum Zinnfigurenmuseum im Torhaus Dölitz Zinnfigurenmuseum im Torhaus Dölitz Museum Kunstkraftwerk Leipzig Kunstkraftwerk Leipzig Museum Kriminalmuseum des Mittelalters Kriminalmuseum des Mittelalters Museum Mendelssohn‐Haus Leipzig Mendelssohn‐Haus Leipzig Museum Memorial Museum in the Memorial Museum in the "Round Corner" Museum Grieg-Begegnungsstätte Leipzig Grieg-Begegnungsstätte Leipzig Museum Bach Museum Leipzig Bach Museum Leipzig Museum N’OSTALGIE Museum im N’OSTALGIE Museum im Museum Museum der Druckkunst Leipzig Museum der Druckkunst Leipzig Museum Reclam-Museum Leipzig Reclam-Museum Leipzig Museum Straßenbahnmuseum Leipzig Straßenbahnmuseum Leipzig Museum Panometer Leipzig Panometer Leipzig Museum Schumann‐Haus Leipzig Schumann‐Haus Leipzig Museum Schillerhaus Schillerhaus Museum Sächsisches Psychiatriemuseum Leipzig Sächsisches Psychiatriemuseum Leipzig Museum Sächsisches Apothekenmuseum Leipzig Sächsisches Apothekenmuseum Leipzig Museum Museum im Trafohaus Museum im Trafohaus Museum Friedenspark Friedenspark Park Clara-Zetkin-Park Clara-Zetkin-Park Park Johannapark Johannapark Park Auenwald Auenwald Park Astronomisches Zentrum Schkeuditz Astronomisches Zentrum Schkeuditz Planetarium Krystallpalast Varieté Krystallpalast Varieté Theatre LOFFT – Das Theater LOFFT – Das Theater Theatre Neues Schauspiel Leipzig Neues Schauspiel Leipzig Theatre Musikalische Komödie Musikalische Komödie Theatre Schaubühne Lindenfels Schaubühne Lindenfels Theatre Theater der Jungen Welt Theater der Jungen Welt Theatre Oper Leipzig Oper Leipzig Theatre Schauspiel Leipzig Schauspiel Leipzig Theatre Karl-Heine Canal Karl-Heine Canal Tourist attractions City-Hochhaus Leipzig City-Hochhaus Leipzig Tourist attractions Löffelfamilie Löffelfamilie Tourist attractions New Town Hall Leipzig New Town Hall Leipzig Town Hall Leipzig Zoo Leipzig Zoo Zoo