We have visited Leipzig several times, usually travelling by train to its spacious main station, which has promenades. Leipzig is a city of trade fairs, music, books and universities.
The city is closely associated with the likes of Johann Sebastian Bach, Felix Mendelssohn, Johann Wolfgang Goethe and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz. The market square with the town hall is Leipzig's symbol. The 'M' in the city's coat of arms stands for the market square and the Leipzig Trade Fair, which has been held here since the 12th century, although it is now held at a modern exhibition centre just outside the city. Leipzig has always been associated with tradition and new beginnings. Evidence of this can be seen in the city's many creative artists and former publishing houses, as well as in the peaceful revolution of 1989, whose Monday demonstrations heralded the end of the GDR.
Leipzig is a city of fine arts and sciences, home to a renowned university. The Gewandhaus Orchestra is widely regarded as one of the world's finest orchestras. The Leipzig Opera and several museums, including the Picture Gallery, are equally impressive. The city's cultural life is also shaped by opera, the St Thomas's Boys' Choir, cabaret venues and an avant-garde theatre scene, as well as a vibrant contemporary art scene.
The cityscape is a juxtaposition of interesting contrasts, with magnificent, renovated townhouses and glass palaces standing alongside dilapidated ruins and wasteland. Listed prefabricated buildings from the socialist era stand next to villas in classical or Art Nouveau styles. In the centre, magnificent arcades built by wealthy merchants over 100 years ago catch the eye.
Leipzig is a lively and self-confident city that is very popular with young people and students. Added to this is the Saxon zest for life, which is evident in the numerous street cafés and beer gardens (known as 'Freisitze').
We recommend getting to know the city along the 'Leipziger Notenspur' (Leipzig Music Trail), a route that takes in important sights in the city centre.
