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City
German Leipzig
51°20' N. sh. 12°23′ E d.
A country	Germany
Status	county seat out-of-district city
Earth	Saxony
Administrative district
Oberburgomaster	Burkhard Jung
History and geography
City with	1165
Square	297.8 km² ( 2016 )
Center height	113 m
Timezone	UTC+1 And UTC+02:00
Population
Population	591 608 people ( September 30, 2017)
Density	1,918 people/km²
Digital IDs
Telephone code	+49 341
Postcode	04003 , 04357 , 04275 , 04155 , 04157 , 04109 , 04105 And 04229
car code	L
Identification code	14 7 13
leipzig.de

Leipzig(German Leipzig, IPA (German): [ˈlaɪptsɪç], lat. Lipsia, v.-lugs. Lipsk) - in, located in the west of the federal state of Saxony. In terms of population (about 590,000 people), Leipzig is the largest city in Saxony, and the tenth largest in Germany, as well as the fastest growing large German city.

Known for its university and fairs, Leipzig is the economic, cultural, scientific and transport center of Central Germany.

Together with Leipzig, located 32 km west of Halle, it forms an urban agglomeration with a population of about 1.1 million people, and is one of the most economically developed regions of East Germany.

After receiving city and trade privileges in 1165, Leipzig already acquired the status of an important center of trade during the German settlement to the east, primarily due to the fur trade, which died out after the Second World War. In addition, since the late Middle Ages, especially since the founding of the University of Leipzig, the city was the center of German printing and bookselling, maintaining this status until the late 1940s. The many years of activity of Johann Sebastian Bach and Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy founded the rich musical tradition of Leipzig that continues to this day, which is currently embodied in the St. Thomas Choir and the Gewandhaus.

Geographical position

Leipzig is located in the center of the Leipzig Lowland (German: Leipziger Tieflandbucht), which forms the southern part of the North German Plain, at the confluence of the Weise-Elster, Plaise and Parte rivers, which, having many branched channels in the city, form here a kind of internal delta with a characteristic a vast floodplain forest that cuts the city from north to south. At the same time, at present, the surroundings of the city are relatively poor in forest, but thanks to loess deposits, they are actively used in agriculture. Since the 20th century, open-cast mining of brown coal deposits (Middle German coal basin) has been carried out south of the city; after the depletion of reserves as part of the reclamation project, part of the quarries was flooded, forming a system of the so-called New Leipzig lakes (German: Leipziger Neuseenland), which are used as a place for mass recreation and bathing of citizens.

Climate

Leipzig is located in the temperate climate zone, in the zone of humid temperate continental climate. The influence of the ocean is great, due to which winter temperatures are much higher than at similar latitudes in Russia. Summers are warm and humid, winters are cool and changeable. The average temperature in winter is from -5 to +7, and in summer from +13 to +23. The weather is very unstable, in winter it often happens that one day +10 and rain, and the next day - a rather severe frost (below -10), which leads to problems on the roads and disruption of the city's infrastructure. Due to the changeable and capricious climate that characterizes Central Europe, it is almost never known for certain what kind of weather to expect.

Climate of Leipzig
Index	Jan.	Feb.	March	Apr.	May	June	July	Aug.	Sen.	Oct.	Nov.	Dec.	Year
Absolute maximum, °C	15,9	18,9	24,7	31,1	33,4	35,0	37,9	37,2	34,5	28,6	21,6	16,9	37,9
Average maximum, °C	3,2	4,3	8,8	14,0	19,1	21,8	24,6	24,2	19,4	14,1	7,7	3,7	13,7
Average temperature, °C	0,5	1,2	4,7	8,9	13,8	16,5	19,0	18,6	14,4	9,8	4,7	1,3	9,5
Average minimum, °C	−2,1	−1,9	1,2	4,2	8,6	11,6	13,9	13,7	10,3	6,3	2,2	−1,1	5,6
Absolute minimum, °C	−27,6	−27,1	−16,6	−6,5	−2,6	1,1	5,7	5,5	0,5	−7	−14	−22,5	−27,6
Precipitation rate, mm	32	26	39	40	47	55	69	63	50	31	43	40	534
Source: Weather and Climate

Administrative division

Administrative districts of Leipzig

Since 1992, Leipzig has been administratively subdivided into 10 city districts (German: Stadtbezirk), covering 63 historical districts - once independent suburbs and villages, included in the city in the 19th-20th centuries.

Administrative districts of Leipzig:

• Central(German Mitte),
• Northern(German Nord),
• Northeastern(German Nordost),
• Oriental(German Ost),
• Southeastern(German: Südost),
• Southern(German Süd),
• Southwestern(German: Südwest),
• West(German West),
• Old Western(German Alt-West),
• Northwestern(German Nordwest).

Population

As in most European cities, the population of Leipzig in the Middle Ages and in the early modern period grew extremely slowly, which was due to frequent military conflicts, epidemics and famine. The population of the city began to grow rapidly only with the beginning of industrialization in the 19th century: if around 1800 only about 32,000 people lived in Leipzig, and mainly within the former medieval walls, then by 1870 the sprawling city already had more than 100,000 inhabitants . By 1930, Leipzig's population had reached its peak of 718,200. By the end of World War II, Leipzig, however, had only about 580,000 inhabitants. Their numbers, which rose to 617,000 by 1950, declined steadily over the following decades, reaching 530,000 in 1990 and 437,000 in 1998, their lowest point in recent history. After the almost doubling of the territory of Leipzig in 1999-2000, the population dynamics managed to stabilize, and since the mid-2000s, the population growth of Leipzig has resumed, although initially at a slow pace. In 2015 (according to the city registry office), the population of Leipzig increased by 15,975 people, which is an all-German record among large cities (in 2014, the increase was about 13,000 people). At the same time, the positive growth dynamics is due not only to the influx, first of all, of relatively young people from other regions and cities of the country, but also from outside Germany and Europe, and also - since 2013 - due to the excess of births over deaths (for the first time since 1965 of the year).

The official (conservative) estimate of the Statistical Office of Saxony on 31 December 2016 was that the population of Leipzig was 571,088. As of December 31, 2011 (taking into account the results of the 2011 census) -   510,043 inhabitants (and earlier on the same date it was estimated at 531,809 inhabitants).

At the end of 2017, 13.4% of Leipzig's population were foreigners, one of the highest numbers in East Germany. Most of them were immigrants from the Russian Federation (about 8,000 people), (about 5,000 people), (about 4,000 people), (slightly more than 3,000 people), and.

Story

Early history

According to archaeological data, Leipzig was founded around 900 as a Slavic (Serbo-Lusatian) settlement located on both banks of the Parte River. At the beginning of the 10th century, the Leipzig lowland was conquered by the Franks, and a small fortification was built in the north of the future city, probably completed around 930. The first written mention of him under the name lat. urbs Libzi is found in the chronicle of Thietmar of Merseburg, and dates back to 1015 (Chronikon VII, 25): according to this record, Bishop Eido I of Meissen (German: Eido I, 955-1015) died here on his way from Poland.

The history of the origin and phonetic transformation of the name of the city

Under 1165, a transcription occurs Lipz, under the 1190th - also. Lipz, under 1196 - Lipzk, under 1216 - Lipzc, under the 1240th - Lipzik, under 1292 - Lipzic, under 1350 - Lipzcik. According to linguists, this toponym comes from the name of the linden tree - thus, Leipzig can be considered a kind of Russian namesake.

Alternative version of the origin of the name

Other transcription methods recorded in the sources make it possible to reconstruct the Slavic name of this German fortress differently - as * Liberty. It, in turn, could be borrowed by the coming Slavs from the German * Libja"multiple place".

Medieval history of the city

In 1165, the settlement - thanks to the Margrave Otto II of Meissen - acquired city rights and market privileges. Around this time, the city church of St. Nicholas and the monastery church of St. Thomas, which are the architectural dominants of the city center today.

Leipzig, located at the crossroads of important trade routes in the Middle Ages Via Regia( - - Frankfurt - Leipzig - ) and Via Empire(Stettin - - ), gradually became a major center of trade. The Leipzig trade fair, which received imperial protection status in 1497, was one of the first of its kind, and was of great importance not only for economic relations with, but, first of all, for the development of the city.

An important milestone was the founding of the university on December 2, 1409 by German professors and students, who were forced to leave Charles University shortly before (on the basis of the Kutnohora Decree), which greatly contributed to the rapid development of publishing and related craft activities.

In 1439, Leipzig, as part of the Meissen Margraviate, became part of the Electorate of Saxony, and since 1485 - following the results of the so-called Leipzig partition - it was under the rule of the Saxon dukes, who chose their capital until then insignificant.

In 1519, at the invitation of the University of Leipzig, a theological discussion between Martin Luther, Andreas Karlstadt and Philipp Melanchthon, on the one hand, and Johann Eck, on the other, took place in the Margravine Castle, which went down in history under the name of the Leipzig Debate, and is considered one of the key events era of the Reformation. In May 1539, Leipzig - with a sermon by Martin Luther in the church of St. Nicholas - officially joined the new creed.

Depiction of Leipzig in 1632 during the siege of the city by Heinrich von Holck

The Thirty Years' War was a heavy blow for the city, which not only led to significant destruction (between 1631 and 1642, Leipzig was besieged as many as five times), but also reduced the city's population by a third: from 18 to 12 thousand people. In addition, Leipzig witnessed two major battles of this war: Breitenfeld on September 17, 1631 and Lutzen on November 16, 1632, and in the latter, the Swedish king Gustav II Adolf fell on the battlefield.

From the middle of the 17th century, Leipzig was one of the important centers of the Enlightenment in Germany. In 1646, the future philosopher and mathematician Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz was born here, in 1661-1663 he studied at the local university with Jacob Thomasius. The son of the latter, the jurist Christian Thomasius, was actively working in his native city in 1679-1690, and in October 1687 he read in the university church - according to legend - the first public lecture in German.

The 18th century was a calm period that brought significant wealth to Leipzig, which found its visible embodiment, first of all, in the construction of many luxurious baroque buildings and trading houses, which gradually replaced the medieval half-timbered buildings; at the same time, in the immediate vicinity of the city walls, numerous baroque gardens were arranged by wealthy citizens, most of which were built up already in the 19th century.

In 1723, the post of cantor of the church of St. Thomas was occupied by that time by the already famous Johann Sebastian Bach, and, despite a number of contradictions with the members of the city council, he remained in this position until his death in 1750. In 1724 in Leipzig, in the city church of St. Nicholas, Bach's largest piece of music, The Passion According to John, was performed for the first time.

In the Seven Years' War, between 1756 and 1763, the city was occupied by Prussian troops. As a result, in subsequent years, the old city fortifications, which had shown their inefficiency, were dismantled, on the site of which they began to plant trees, which from 1784 - on the initiative of the then burgomaster Karl Wilhelm Müller - resulted in the arrangement of a wide promenade encircling the inner city with its, in general, preserved to the present day by regular green spaces.

In the second half of the 18th century, Leipzig experienced a period of rapid economic, scientific and cultural growth. In 1746-1748, the young Gotthold Ephraim Lessing studied at the University of Leipzig, and somewhat later, in 1765-1768, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. At the same time, Christian Fürchtegott Gellert, Christian Gottfried Koerner and Adam Ezer (since 1759) lived and worked in the city; the latter at the same time was the first director of the Academy of Arts (currently the Higher School of Graphics and Book Art). In 1785, invited by Koerner, 25-year-old Friedrich Schiller spent several months in Leipzig, writing the first version of Ode to Joy here.

Map of the Battle of Leipzig, 1813

In October 1813, Leipzig and its environs became the scene of a fierce multi-day battle, which went down in history as the Battle of the Nations, and became the largest armed confrontation not only of the Napoleonic Wars era, but of the entire 19th century. In the same year, Richard Wagner was born in Leipzig.

Under the influence of the ideas of Friedrich List and the efforts of the private Leipzig-Dresden railway company, a through railway connection with Dresden was opened in 1839 (the connection to Alten was already opened on April 24, 1837); this section of track became the first long-distance rail route in Germany. Thanks to this, Leipzig quickly became the most important transport center in Central Germany, and in the second half of the 19th century there were already 6 stations.

Around the same time, in the first half of the 19th century, due to the introduction of modern steam-powered printing presses, Leipzig became one of the most important printing centers in Europe, with many printing enterprises located east of the historic city center, forming the so-called Printed Quarter(German: Graphisches Viertel). The most famous publishers of this time include: Heinrich Brockhaus, Solomon Hirzel, Anton Philipp Reklam, Bernhard Tauchnitz, Benedikt Teubner and Otto Wiegand. The key event was the founding of the Stock Exchange Association of German Booksellers (Germ. Borsenverein der Deutschen Buchhandler zu Leipzig) in 1825, designed not only to streamline and control the financial flows of the book fair, but also to represent the interests of the printing industry and the book trade.

During the period of industrialization, the development of the city was significantly influenced by the landowner and entrepreneur Karl Heine (German Carl Erdmann Heine, 1819-1888), largely through the efforts of which the western suburb (German Westvorstadt) was built up and large-scale infrastructural and industrial development of Plagwitz began, in at that time still located outside Leipzig (annexed in 1891). Convinced of the benefits of water and rail transport, in 1856 Karl Heine began the construction of a shipping canal, later named after him, which, according to the plan, was supposed to connect the Weisse-Elster and Saale rivers, and thereby (through the Saale) provide Leipzig with access to the sea . The canal made it possible, first of all, to drain large areas in Plagwitz, which made it possible to use it to accommodate large-scale industrial production, to encourage which Karl Heine laid a whole system of sidings and was able to conclude a number of contracts for their maintenance with the Prussian and Saxon railways. This and a number of accompanying incentive measures allowed Leipzig to become one of the most important centers of German industry in the shortest possible time. On the other hand, the development of production created a demand for labor, which significantly increased the population of the city, and increased social tension.

For the sake of financial support for industrial development, several joint-stock banks were founded, the most significant of which were German. Leipziger Bank (founded in 1838) and Allgemeine Deutsche Credit-Anstalt (founded in 1856), which pursued an active investment policy outside Germany as well.

On May 23, 1863, the General German Workers' Union, the forerunner of the modern Social Democratic Party, was founded in Leipzig, with politician and philosopher Ferdinand Lassalle as its president.

Already since 1869, the Imperial Supreme Commercial Court (German: Reichsoberhandelsgericht) was located in Leipzig; after the founding of the German Empire, the Imperial Supreme Court (German: Reichsgericht) took its place in 1879.

The second half of the 19th century was marked for Leipzig, as elsewhere in Europe, by accelerated urbanization, which increasingly covered the surrounding villages, so that the border between the city and its suburbs gradually disappeared, which made the question of expanding the urban area urgent. And if in 1864 the city council of Leipzig still refused to accept the community of Reudnitz (German Reudnitz) into the city, fearing an uncontrolled increase in costs, then already in 1889-1892 17 suburbs and villages were added, in 1910 - 7, and in 1915 year, two more. The total area of ​​Leipzig thus increased from 17.8 km² in 1885 to 84 km² in 1915. At the same time, the historic city center became increasingly important for the trade fair, entertainment, transport and banking sectors, and the new city outskirts turned into a kind of industrial and worker settlements.

The rapid development and expansion of the city also transformed the appearance of Leipzig: it was at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries that the significant monumental public buildings of the Imperial Court, the university library, the New Town Hall, the Conservatory, the new Gewandhaus, the City Trade Yard, the Main Station, the New Theater, the main post office were erected and the university in Augusta Square, etc.

New Theater at Augustusplatz, 1900

In 1912, the German Library (German: Deutsche Bücherei) was founded in the city, which is now the most important part of the German National Library.

In September-December 1933, in the building of the Imperial Court, a trial organized by the Nazi authorities took place over those accused of setting fire to the Reichstag.

During the Second World War, branches of the Buchenwald concentration camp were located within the city: the Tekla / Abtnaundorf concentration camp and the Leipzig concentration camp.

After the Second World War, Leipzig became one of the bases for captured aircraft, its restoration was led by an experienced pilot, Lieutenant Colonel Leonard Kruse.

In 1989, after praying for the preservation of peace in the church of St. Nicholas in the city there were massive spontaneous demonstrations against the East German government of the SED.

In 2003, Leipzig was a candidate to host the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Attractions

Monument to the Battle of Nations

Temple-monument of Russian glory in Leipzig

• Church of Saint Thomas(German Thomaskirche) of the 14th century in the Gothic style is known for the boys' choir founded in 1212 (German Thomanerchor), which was led by Johann Sebastian Bach for 27 years. On the square (German: Thomaskirchhof) in front of the church there is a monument to Bach and a museum dedicated to his work.
• Leipzig Philharmonic Gewandhaus(German Gewandhaus) - the home stage of the orchestra of the same name (German Gewandhausorchester).
• old town hall(German Altes Rathaus) 1556-1567 built in the Renaissance style on the Market Square; currently - the Museum of Urban History. The facade of the building does not follow the axial symmetry accepted at that time, but is made according to the rule of the golden section: the tower of the town hall is shifted to the side relative to the central axis of the facade.
• old exchange(German Alte Börse) in the Baroque style, which served in the 18th century as a meeting place for the city merchants.
• New town hall(German: Neues Rathaus).
• Church of St. Nicholas(German: Nikolaikirche) from the 12th century is the oldest church in the city. Meeting place for Monday demonstrations.
• Former Imperial court building(German Reichsgericht), built in 1887-1895 according to the design of Ludwig Hoffmann and Peter Dyubwad. It currently houses the Federal Administrative Court.
• Monument to the Battle of Nations(German Völkerschlachtdenkmal) - the largest monument in, built in 1898-1913 in memory of the battle for Leipzig in October 1813.
• Memorial Russian Church(German: Russische Gedächtniskirche) in memory of 22,000 Russian soldiers who fell in the Battle of the Nations.
• Auerbach cellar(German: Auerbachs Keller) - a restaurant famous for Goethe's Faust, located in the Medler Passage.
• Cafe and museum "Tsum Arabishen coffee baum"(German: Zum arabischen Coffe Baum) is one of the oldest coffee houses in Europe.
• Leipzig Zoo(German Leipziger Zoo), one of the most modern in Europe in terms of equipment, and one of the best collections on the continent; known for its tradition of captive breeding of wild animals.
• Goliz Palace(German: Gohliser Schlösschen) is the only surviving Baroque manor in Leipzig.
• Schiller House Museum(German: Schillerhaus) - literary museum; the oldest surviving peasant house in Leipzig.
• Alte Waage(German Alte Waage).

Events

• Bach Festival(German Das Bachfest) - one of the largest festivals where the music of Johann Sebastian Bach sounds, takes place every summer at several venues in the city at once. Opening and closing takes place in the Church of St. Thomas. The first festival was held in 1904, since 1999 it has been held on an annual basis.
• Leipzig Fair(German Leipziger Messe).
• International Festival of Documentary and Animated Films
• Wave-Gotik-Treffen- the largest Gothic festival in Europe, lasting over 4 days.

Culture and education

Leipzig University

• Leipzig University(German: Universität Leipzig), founded 4 December 1409. One of the oldest universities Nobel Prize winner Werner Karl Heisenberg (professor of physics from 1927 to 1942), physicist Gustav Ludwig Hertz, chemist Wilhelm Friedrich Ostwald, philologist Theodor Mommsen worked here. Among the university students were also writers Johann Wolfgang Goethe and Erich Kestner, philosophers Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz and Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, politician Karl Liebknecht and composer Richard Wagner. German Chancellor Angela Merkel graduated from the university in 1978 with a degree in physics. In the winter semester of 2007-2008, about 27,000 students studied at the university.
• University of Applied Sciences(German Hochschule für Technik, Wirtschaft und Kultur, HTWK), located in the south of the city, has about 6,000 students since 2007. This is the second most important institution of higher education in Leipzig, which arose in 1992 as a result of the merger of several educational institutions. It provides training in various technical subjects, mathematics, library science.
• Academy of Visual Arts(German Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst), founded in 1764. Academy students attend courses in painting, graphics, design and photography. Since 2006, the Academy has about 530 students.
• Leipzig Opera(German: Oper Leipzig), founded in 1693, is one of the oldest operas in Europe. Known for her experimental and unexpected opera and ballet productions. The theater regularly hosts tours of the world's best theaters on its stage.
• High School of Music and Theater(German Hochschule Leipzig fur Musik und Theater), founded in 1843 as a conservatory. The first higher musical educational institution. One of its founders was the famous composer Felix Mendelssohn. In 2006, it had about 900 students.
• Graduate School of Management Leipzig(German Handelshochschule Leipzig, HHL), founded in 1889, is accredited by AACSB International, ACQUIN, is recognized as one of the best business schools in Germany.
• Grassi Museum- the largest museum complex of the city.
• Art Museum
• Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy Museum
• Robert and Clara Schumann Museum

Sport

Red Bull Arena, home of RB Leipzig

• In 1900, the German Football Association was founded in Leipzig.
• FC Leipzig, founded in 1893, became the first German football champion in 1903.
• The city became the venue for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. At the Central Stadium ("Red Bull Arena"), 5 championship matches were held.
• The local football club RB Leipzig, founded in 2009, has been playing in the second Bundesliga since 2014, and in 2016 made it to the top league of German football.
• Another local club, Lokomotiv, successfully performed during the GDR: it won the GDR Cup 4 times, and in 1987 played in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final (defeated by Ajax).
• One of the strongest women's handball teams in Germany plays in Leipzig, having won the national championship more than 20 times.
• The city hosted the 2005 World Fencing Championship.

mass media

• Due to the presence of the Book Fair in Leipzig and, until recently, a large number of book publishers, the city is sometimes called the "Book City of Leipzig" (German: Buchstadt Leipzig).
• The Leipziger Volkszeitung (LVZ) is the city's only daily newspaper. Founded in 1894. Became the first daily newspaper in the world.

Economy

Companies based in Leipzig:

• Amazon
• Blüthner, piano production
• comparex
• Porsche
• Siemens
• EMAG Leipzig Maschinenfabrik GmbH
• DHL, for Leipzig/Halle Airport
• Microsoft, cheap boxes

Transport

Leipzig tram

The main types of urban transport, along with the tram, are the bus and the city train (S-Bahn), while the latter also serves Halle and a number of other adjacent cities, and in the center of Leipzig has an underground section similar to the metro with stations - city ​​tunnel- between the Main and Bavaria railway stations.

The central railway station of Leipzig plays not only an extremely important role as a transport hub for the whole of Central Germany, but also, in terms of floor space, is considered one of the largest railway stations in Europe.

Air traffic is provided by the Leipzig/Halle International Airport (the second largest cargo air hub in Germany) and the Leipzig-Altenburg Regional Airport in.

Quotes

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (Faust):

And Leipzig is a little Paris. There is a special raid on everyone here, you will distinguish us from a thousand.

Original text (German)

Mein Leipzig lob" ich mir! Es ist ein klein Paris und bildet seine Leute.

twin cities

, since 2004 , since 1992 , Italy, since 1962 , since 1973 , since 1990 , since 1987

Useful information for tourists about Leipzig in Germany - geographical location, tourist infrastructure, map, architectural features and attractions.

Leipzig is a city in the federal state of Saxony. The statute of the city was assigned to him in 1165 by Margrave Otto of Meissen. In 1507, Emperor Maximilian I granted the city the privilege of holding fairs. In the XVII-XVIII centuries, Leipzig became the economic center of the country, the capital of printing, the center of musical life in Germany.

For more than 800 years, Leipzig, which Goethe calls "little Paris" in his Faust, has been a city of fairs. The concept of general fairs has recently been replaced by the concept of specialized fairs.

In addition, Leipzig is a major center of science. Here, in 1409, the University was founded, where Goethe, Lessing, Klopstock studied, and Johann Sebastian Bach was its bandmaster in 1723-1750.

The center of Leipzig is the Market Square, one of the sides of which is entirely occupied by the magnificent Old Town Hall. The mid-16th century building now operates as a museum and concert hall. From the balcony of the Old Town Hall every Sunday, the city's trumpeters blow the city's anthem.

The Old Town Hall and the Market Square are surrounded primarily by commercial buildings - fair warehouses, the Old Stock Exchange (XVII century); in one of the former warehouses, the first coffee house in Leipzig still operates, and in the basement of the other there is the oldest wine cellar in Leipzig, beloved by Leipzig students and immortalized by Goethe in Faust - Auerbach's cellar.

On the other side of the Market Square is the early Gothic church of St. Thomas of the 13th century. Johann Sebastian Bach worked there for 27 years as cantor and organist. In front of the church stands his monument, and next to the church is the Bach Museum.

The oldest church in the city - the Church of St. Nicholas - was rebuilt many times, but very successfully combines elements of Gothic, Renaissance architecture, Baroque and Classicism. Next to the church of St. Nicholas is Augustusplatz, which could be called Art Square. The square is surrounded on three sides by the University of Leipzig, the Leipzig Philharmonic and the Leipzig Opera.

In the west of Leipzig - the famous Leipzig Zoo, Schiller's house-museum and the Gohliser Schloesschen country palace, now a beautifully restored concert hall.

The appearance of the city was formed under the influence of the Leipzig Fair, which is noticeable today. Between 1893 and 1938, 35 fair houses were built in the city center. Today they house prestigious shopping arcades. In the arcades of the Old Town Hall there are many small shops offering souvenirs, guides and reference books.

The Slavic settlement Lipsk arose around 900. The first written mention of him (urbs Libzi) is found in the chronicle of Thietmar of Merseburg and dates back to 1015 (Chronikon VII, 25). In 1165, Otto II the Rich, Margrave of Meissen, gave Leipzig city rights and market privileges.

Leipzig was located at the intersection of the Royal (Via Regia) and Imperial (Via Imperii) roads, thanks to which it gradually became a major center of trade. The Leipzig Trade Fair was one of the first trade fairs in the world and was of great importance for economic relations with Eastern Europe.

The founding of the University of Leipzig in 1409 led to the development of jurisprudence and publishing. The Supreme Court (German Reichsgericht) appeared, in 1912 the German Library (German Deutsche Bücherei) was founded in the city.

At the University of Leipzig from 1661 to 1666. studied philosopher and mathematician Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz. Johann Sebastian Bach worked at St. Thomas from 1723 to 1750 Composer Richard Wagner was born in Leipzig in 1813. In the same year, the largest battle in the war against the army of Napoleon Bonaparte began, which went down in history as the Battle of the Nations. In 1913, on the centenary of the battle, the Monument to the Battle of Nations was erected.

On May 23, 1863, a general German workers' union was founded in Leipzig, with the politician and philosopher Ferdinand Lassalle as its president.

In September-December 1933, the Nazi authorities organized a trial of those accused of setting fire to the Reichstag in the city.

After the Great Patriotic War, the city became one of the bases for captured aircraft, its restoration was led by an experienced pilot, Lieutenant Colonel Leonard Kruse
.

In 1989, after prayers for peace at St. Nicholas Church in the city, demonstrations were held against the East German regime.

In 2003, Leipzig was a candidate to host the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Leipzig is located in the temperate climate zone, in the zone of humid temperate continental climate. The influence of the ocean is great, due to which winter temperatures are much higher than at similar latitudes in Russia. Summers are warm and humid, winters are cool and changeable. The average temperature in winter is from -5 to +7, and in summer from +13 to +23. The weather is very unstable, in winter it often happens that one day +10 and rain, and the next day it hits a rather severe frost (below -10), which leads to problems on the roads and disruption of the city's infrastructure, because it is almost never known for certain which weather is to be expected due to the changeable and capricious climate characteristic of Central Europe.
Attractions

Leipzig Gewandhaus

Church of St. Thomas (German Thomaskirche), built in the XIV century. in the Gothic style, is best known for its foundation in 1212 and the world-famous boys' choir (German: Thomanerchor). The church choir was led by the composer Johann Sebastian Bach for 27 years. In the small square in front of the church there is a monument to Bach, and next to the church is the Bach Museum.
Leipzig Philharmonic Gewandhaus (German: Gewandhaus). The Gewandhaus is the seat of the famous Gewandhausorchester Orchestra of the same name.
Old Town Hall (German: Altes Rathaus) The building of the Old Town Hall, built in 1556-1567. in the Renaissance style, located in the center of the old city, on the Market Square, and serves as a museum of the history of the city. It is interesting that the facade of the building does not follow the axial symmetry accepted at that time, but is made according to the rule of the golden section: the town hall tower is shifted to the side relative to the central axis of the facade.
Old Stock Exchange (German: Alte Börse) Behind the Old Town Hall is the baroque building of the Old Stock Exchange, which once served as a meeting place for Leipzig merchants.
New Town Hall (German: Neues Rathaus).
Church of St. Nicholas (German: Nikolaikirche) is the largest and at the same time the oldest church in Leipzig.
The building of the Supreme Court (German: Reichsgericht), built at the end of the 19th century (1887–1895) by the architects Ludwig Hofmann and Peter Dyubwad. The building currently houses the Federal Administrative Court.
The Monument to the Battle of Nations (German: Völkerschlachtdenkmal) is one of the symbols of the city, as well as the largest monument in Europe. Built in 1898-1913. in memory of the famous Battle of the Nations on October 16-19, 1813, in which Napoleon was defeated by the allied armies of Prussia, Austria and Russia. The total height of the monument is more than 100 m, and at a height of 91 m there is an observation deck that offers a view of the city and its surroundings.
Memorial Church of the Memory of Russian Soldiers (German: Russische Gedächtniskirche).
City trading house (German: Städtisches Kaufhaus).
Auerbach's cellar (German: Auerbachs Keller) is a famous Leipzig restaurant.
Cafe and museum "Zum arabischen coffee baum" (German: Zum arabischen Coffe Baum).
Leipzig Zoo (German: Leipziger Zoo) is known primarily for the world's largest department of primates and the largest aquarium in Europe.
Alte Waage

Events
Leipzig International Fair (German: Leipziger Messe).
Wave-Gotik-Treffen is the largest Gothic festival in Europe, lasting over 4 days.

Culture and education
University of Leipzig (German: Universität Leipzig), founded December 4, 1409. One of the oldest universities in Europe. Nobel Prize winner Werner Karl Heisenberg (professor of physics from 1927 to 1942), physicist Gustav Ludwig Hertz, chemist Wilhelm Friedrich Ostwald, philologist Theodor Mommsen worked here. Among the university students were also writers Johann Wolfgang Goethe and Erich Kestner, philosophers Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz and Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, politician Karl Liebknecht and composer Richard Wagner. German Chancellor Angela Merkel graduated from the university in 1978 with a degree in physics. In the winter semester 2007-2008 about 27,000 students studied at the university.
The University of Applied Sciences (German: Hochschule für Technik, Wirtschaft und Kultur, HTWK), located in the south of the city, has about 6,000 students since 2007. This is the second most important institution of higher education in Leipzig, which arose in 1992 as a result of the merger of several educational institutions. It provides training in various technical subjects, mathematics, library science.
Academy of Visual Arts (German: Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst), founded in 1764. Academy students attend courses in painting, graphics, design and photography. Since 2006, the Academy has about 530 students.
The Higher School of Music and Theater (German: Hochschule Leipzig für Musik und Theater), founded in 1843 as a conservatory. The first higher musical educational institution in Germany. One of its founders was the famous composer Felix Mendelssohn. In 2006, it had about 900 students.
The Leipzig Graduate School of Management (German Handelshochschule Leipzig, HHL), founded in 1889, is accredited by AACSB International, ACQUIN, is recognized as one of the best business schools in Germany

Sport
In 1900, the German Foot "Sick Union" (DFB) was founded in Leipzig.
The city became the venue for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. 5 matches of the championship were held at the Central Stadium.
Leipzig annually hosts international competitions in various sports.
On April 15, 2011, a new hockey club was registered in Leipzig. A club called Torpedo Leipzig should already in the 2012-2013 season, bypassing the German Hockey League, begin playing in the Continental Hockey League. Behind the ambitious plans to include Leipzig in the KHL orbit is the German businessman Stefan Lindner, who has been living in St. Petersburg for several years

mass media
Due to the presence of the Book Fair in Leipzig and, until recently, a large number of book publishers, the city is sometimes called the "Book City of Leipzig" (German: Buchstadt Leipzig).
The Leipziger Volkszeitung (LVZ) is the city's only daily newspaper. Founded in 1894. Became the first daily newspaper in the world.

Leipzig is one of the largest cities in Saxony, which is located in the east of Germany and was part of the GDR. The period of stay in the socialist camp did not have a very favorable effect on the metropolis, introducing touches of monotony and dullness into its image. But after the unification of the country, Leipzig completely restored the appearance that was inherent in it in all ages: it is a bright, […]

Leipzig one of the largest cities in the world Saxony, which is located in the east of Germany and was part of the GDR. The period of stay in the socialist camp did not have a very favorable effect on the metropolis, introducing touches of monotony and dullness into its image. But after the unification of the country, Leipzig completely restored the appearance that has been inherent in it in all ages: it is a bright, extraordinary and bright city that develops in accordance with the spirit of the times, remaining unchanged in its historical essence. Today, its ancient gothic churches, numerous buildings built in the "burgher baroque" style and modern glass skyscrapers create a special, unique and attractive harmony.

The first mention of Leipzig dates back to the 11th century. It was founded by the Slavs, who considered the linden a sacred tree and therefore called their settlement Lipsk. Later they were forced out by the Germans, and the city acquired its current name.

Leipzig has long been known as a city of fairs and students. "Fair" glory he was honored due to his territorial location, since the trade routes of the West and East converged on it. About 25 international industry exhibitions and fairs are held annually in the city. On the second floor of the building Hauptbahnhof station, which is the largest in Europe, hosts the famous "Promenade"- an exhibition of the most famous European companies.

student glory Leipzig began in 1409 when a university was founded in the city. In the famous educational institution received knowledge Goethe, Leibniz, Klopstock, and Johann Sebastian Bach was his bandmaster. Thanks to the university, the city became a powerful scientific center and gave impetus to the development of publishing. In his printing houses, works were first printed Schiller and Goethe as well as musical scores Mendelssohn, Bach, Wagner.

The architectural sights of Leipzig are concentrated mainly in the historical center. old town hall, built in the Renaissance style, dates back to the 16th century. It is interesting in that its tower is displaced relative to the central axis of the structure in accordance with the rule of the golden section. Today the Old Town Hall houses City History Museum.

Erected 100 years ago, it is a majestic building, decorated with numerous turrets and sculptures. It was built as a symbol of Leipzig's economic prosperity at the end of the 19th century.

The oldest local temple Church of St. Nicholas dating back to the 12th century, and the most famous - St. Thomas Church, built in the XIV century and personifying the Gothic style. St. Thomas Church is famous for its boys' choir, which he led for 27 years. Bach. The remains of the great composer rest in the altar of the church.

The symbol of the city is monument to the Battle of the Nations, which covers an area of ​​8 thousand m2 and is the largest in Europe. The structure dates from 1913 and commemorates the victory of the allied armies over Napoleon in 1813.

Among the many attractions of Leipzig, of particular interest are Golicer Castle, Museum of Ancient History, Museum of Fine Arts, representing 750 sculptures and 2700 paintings, Mendelssohn's mansion, where the personal belongings of the composer are stored, Medler's passage with the wine cellar Auerbachskeller, who described Goethe in his imperishable Faust.

The cultural life of the city is symbolized Philharmonic Gewandhaus one of the best in Europe opera house, drama theater Schauspilhaus, as well as numerous cabarets showing enchanting theatrical performances.

In 1015, the first mention of the village of Leipzig is found, which arose on the site of the former Slavic settlement of Lipsk ("Under the Lindens"). After 150 years, Margrave Otto von Meissen secured city rights for him. Here, according to the charter of privileges of 1268, merchants were guaranteed protection and encouragement. Even then, Leipzig was allowed to hold fairs, which in 1497 Kaiser Maximilian raised to the rank of imperial, and ten years later he gave the city a monopoly right to store goods in warehouses within a radius of 120 km.

The geographical position at the crossroads of busy trade routes, proximity to the Ore Mountains, where metal mining developed, contributed to the rapid economic development of Leipzig. By the 18th century it became a major center for commodity fairs and an intermediary in the fur trade.

Since the end of the Middle Ages, publishing and bookselling have been gaining strength here. As early as 1500, Leipzig occupied a leading position in the whole of Germany in terms of the number of printing houses. The book fair, which takes place annually in March, is the second largest after the Frankfurt one.

At the end of the XIX century. in Leipzig they stop selling goods at fairs, and only exhibit samples for the subsequent conclusion of commercial transactions.

In 1996, a new exhibition and fair complex was built on the site of the former airport on the northern outskirts of the city. In its center is a unique pavilion made of glass and steel, almost 30 m high. Five other pavilions cover an area of ​​100,000 m².

In 1409, a university was founded in Leipzig, whose students were the humanist W. von Hutten, the peasant leader T. Müntzer, writers and poets of the Enlightenment G. E. Lessing (1729-1781) , F. G. Klopstock (1724- 1803) , A. N. Radishchev (1749-1802) , philosopher F. Nietzsche (1844-1900) .

In 1765-1768. I. W. Goethe studied at the University of Leipzig, who called the city “little Paris” for the vital energy of its inhabitants.

In 1723 J.S. Bach moved to Leipzig. He led the boys' choir (Thomanerchor) that still exist. R. Wagner was born here. In 1843, the first German conservatory was founded in Leipzig. Leipzig was glorified by composers and conductors R. Schumann, F. Mendelssohn-Bartholdy and R. Wagner.

Leipzig now

Leipzig's main railway station is one of the largest in Europe (26 platforms, 1902-1915, reconstructed in 1998). Its building houses a three-story shopping arcade with more than 150 shops, cafes and restaurants.

The station stands at the wide boulevard ring (Ring) located on the site of medieval fortifications. Inside the ring is the Old City.

On the eastern outskirts of the Old City - a large square of Augustus (Augustusplatz) with a new opera house. Here is the main building of the university. (height 143 m, 34 floors, 1969). It has an observation deck from which you can see not only the whole city, but also its surroundings for a small fee.

From the south, the new Gewandhaus building adjoins Augusta Square (Neues Gewandhaus, 1981), built on the site of a house that once belonged to the guild of cloth makers and destroyed in 1944. The world-famous orchestra, which began its concert activity more than 200 years ago, also bears his name. The unique Gewandhaus organ has 6638 pipes.

Nearby is the Church of St. Nicholas (Nikolaikirche, XIV-XVIII centuries) combining several architectural styles. During the period of the GDR, in the autumn of 1989, prayers for peace were held in the church, and peaceful demonstrations for the unification of Germany were going around. Such civic action eventually led to the fall of the Berlin Wall.

On the spacious Market Square (almost 10 thousand m²) the powerful building of the town hall rises with an asymmetrically placed tower above the main portal. Its construction according to the plans of Leipzig mayor Hieronymus Lotter began in 1556. It is the oldest Renaissance town hall in Germany. After destruction during the Second World War, it was restored in 1950. The Historical Museum of the city is located here. (Stadtgeschichtliche Museum; Tue-Sun 10.00-18.00).

Old trading exchange (Alte Borse, baroque, 1678-1687) was a meeting place for Leipzig merchants. The building was completely burned out during World War II and rebuilt in 1963.

Monument to Goethe (1903) , depicting the poet in his student years, is installed in front of the outer staircase of the Old Stock Exchange. On the pedestal from different sides - two lovely girlish faces. Connoisseurs say: the young poet was in love with both girls at the same time.

Wine Cellar Auerbach (Auerbach's Keller) in 1530, professor of medicine G. Tromer from the Franconian city of Auerbach opened it. In 1912, it was built into the Medler Passage shopping complex. (Madler Passage) built on this site. One of the scenes of Goethe's tragedy "Faust" takes place just in Auerbach's cellar, which at the entrance to the restaurant is reminiscent of the figures of Faust, Mephistopheles and drunken revelers bewitched by him. The basement of the restaurant is decorated with paintings and sculptures based on the legends of Faust.

At the corner of the Market Square and the Heinstraße (Heinstrasse) is the former hotel "Royal House" (Konigshaus, 1610), partially rebuilt in 1706-1707. Many famous personalities once stopped here, including Tsar Peter I in 1698 on his way to Holland.

The old trading yard has been preserved on the Market Square (Barthels Hof), the last of those built in the 18th century. for the fair. In the premises of such courtyards, merchants arranged their apartments, offices, trading floors, and warehouses. The building already existed in 1523, and in 1743 it was rebuilt.

Nearby is the former city customs Old Scales (Alte Waage). It was built in the Renaissance style by Hieronymus Lotter in 1555 and partially renovated in 1964-1965.

One of the most attractive streets of Leipzig in the 18th century leads north from the Market Square. - Katerina street (Katharinenstrasse). From the magnificent burgher houses preserved on the reconstructed Saxony Square (Sachsenplatz), the house of burgomaster Franz Konrad Romanius attracts special attention (Romaniushaus).

Thomas Church (Thomaskirche, architect I. Lotter, Renaissance)- it is also called the Church of St. Thomas - erected on the site of the former, founded in the XIII century. Johann Sebastian Bach was a cantor in this church and a teacher in its school (Thomasschule) from 1723 to the last days of his life. His death in 1750 remained without public attention. It was only in 1894 that it was established that Bach's ashes were buried in the church of Johannis. It was destroyed during World War II. In 1950, 200 years after Bach's death, his remains were transferred to the chancel of the Thomas Church. In front of the church there is a monument to the composer (1908) .

Opposite the church is the Bosehaus, which houses the archive of the great composer and hosts the Bach Museum. (Bach-Museum; Tue-Sun 10.00-18.00).

It is not far from the New Town Hall on the Castle Square (Burgplatz). There used to be Pleissenburg Castle here. (Pleissenburg, architect I. Lotter, 16th century). A tower has been preserved from it, which is included in a new complex of buildings in the late German Renaissance style with elements of the Baroque. The old vaulted basement houses one of the most famous Ratskeller restaurants.

In front of the town hall there is a monument to the former mayor of Leipzig, Karl Goerdeler. In 1937, against his will, the Nazis destroyed a monument to the Jewish composer Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy.

In protest, he refused to be re-elected to his post. Karl Goerdeler - an active participant in the July 20, 1944 conspiracy against Hitler.

Curious to visit the oldest in Europe (1694) coffee house "To the Arabic coffee tree" (Gasthaus Zum Arabischen Coffe Baum). In it you can not only enjoy your favorite drink, but also see an interesting exposition for free. (Fleischergasse, 4, daily 11.00-19.00).

Museums

Grassi Museum (Grassimuseum)

These are three large and interesting museums. Collection of the Ethnographic Museum (Museum fur Volkerkunde) has 150 thousand exhibits. Museum of Musical Instruments (Music Instrument Museum) keeps a rich collection of tools from the Middle Ages to the present day. At the Museum of Applied Arts (Museum fur Angewandte Kunst) ceramics, porcelain, glass, tin products, art forging, fabrics, ancient costumes are exhibited.

Johannisplatz, 5-11. Open: Tue-Sun 10.00-18.00.

Monument to the Battle of Nations (Volkerschlachtdenkmal)

The 91 m high monument was opened on the 100th anniversary of the great battle near Leipzig, which took place on October 16-18, 1813. Over 500 thousand people from both sides participated in the battle. The Napoleonic army lost about 80 thousand people. On the part of the Allies, 22,000 Russians, 16,000 Prussians, 14,000 Austrians and 300 Swedish soldiers were killed. Along with weapons, uniforms and historical documents, a 25 m² diorama with 8,000 pewter figurines is displayed in the museum near the monument.

The middle observation platform at a height of 52 m can be reached by lift.

Surroundings of Leipzig

Fortress Wartburg (Fest Wartburg)

The pride of the land of Thuringia - the Wartburg fortress (Wartburg, 1067; daily April - October 8.30-20.00, November - March 9.00-17.00), located 2 km southwest of the city of Eisenach. It was built by the Thuringian landgrave Ludwig. Over time, the fortress lost its defensive significance and turned into a cultural center at the princely court. According to the sagas composed in these parts in the 13th century, the libretto of R. Wagner's opera "Tannhäuser" was written. One of the main scenes of the plot is the "Minnesinger Singer Contest" in the Wartburg.

The oldest part of the building is the Romanesque palace, where the magnificent Knight's Palace is located. (Festive) hall, dining room and women's quarters with a fireplace ("Kamenate"). In these halls, under Landgrave Hermann I at the end of the 12th - beginning of the 13th century. German troubadours - minnesingers - gathered. Among them Wolfram von Eschenbach (1170-1220) , who was compared with Dante in terms of his poetic talent, and Walter von der Vogelweide (1160/1170-1230) , who is considered by many experts to be the first German national poet and singer. Western passage along the inner side of the fortress wall ("Elisabethgang") leads to the cell of Martin Luther, which has survived almost unchanged.

Here the church reformer in 1521-1522. hid from persecution under the name of the knight George. In the fortress, Martin Luther completed the translation from Greek into German of the New Testament.

The Wartburg Fortress is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

National Park Thuringian Forest (Thuringer Wald)

In the northwestern part of the Thuringian Forest rises Mount Big Insel (Grosser Inselsberg, 916 m) where the famous Rennsteig hiking trail passes (Rennsteig). Since the 19th century as a resort and vacation spot Friedrichroda is famous (Friedrichroda). Nearby is the crystalline gypsum cave "Glass of Mary" (Marienglashohle).