Unlike these lesser known East German cities, Leipzig’s attractions are well established. Famous Germans from Goethe to Bach have worked and studied here. Auerbachs Kellerer dates back to the Middle Ages. The Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra is the oldest symphony orchestra in the world.
But there is more to the city than tradition. Just as Dresden has many unusual attractions, Leipzig has surprises just around the corner and outside the city center. Explore 7 of the best off-the-beaten-path spots in Leipzig
Architecture of the Gründerzeit era
The city escaped the catastrophic damage of WWII that visited its neighbor Dresden and still preserves an impressive number of buildings from the Wilhelmine Empire. Of its 15,672 heritage sites, 80 percent are from the Gründerzeit era (period in the 19th century in Germany and Austria before the great stock market crash of 1873).
Observe the elegance of residential districts such as the Southern District, the Music District and the extraordinary Waldstraßenviertel . The ‘Forest Quarter’ is the largest collection of Gründerzeit buildings in Europe, with most of the buildings historically protected. Visit the recently opened Ariowitsch-Haus, a Jewish cultural center, in a Gründerzeit villa at 14 Hinrichsenstraße.
Literary scene
The artistic nature of the city is not limited to music. The first book fair was held here in the 17th century and the Leipzieger Buchmesse remains one of the largest in the world (after the Frankfurt book fair).
Other book attractions include:
- The National Library of Germany (with a sister in the west, Deutsche Bibliothek in Frankfurt) has a vast collection of old books, prints, manuscripts, etc.
- The Gutenbergschule is a school focused on the craft of creating books from printing to binding. The building is also a stellar example of Bauhaus architecture.
Cabaret scene
Leipzig has a nice subversive streak that is perhaps most evident in its well-established cabaret scene. German Kabarett is not just a risky dance, it can be fueled by political and social satire. The artists used this medium to secretly criticize the DDR government.
The art form remains popular in Leipzig with more magazine shows per person than anywhere else in Germany. Cabaret clubs and events in Leipzig:
- Academixer
- Leipziger Pfeffermühle
- Funzel
- Krystallpalast Varieté
- Central kabarett
- Leipzig Lachmesse – Germany’s largest international cabaret and satire festival held every autumn
Castles
Gohliser Schlösschen is a Rococo castle within Leipzig. Built in 1754 as a summer residence, it features the work of Adam Friedrich Oeser, Goethe’s drawing teacher.
To the south of the city there are several other medieval works of art along the Zwickauer Mulde River. This area is called the Valley of the castles:
- Rochsburg Castle – feudal castle from the 12th century
- Wechselburg Castle: Baroque castle built in 1168 on the foundations of the ruined abbey
- Rochlitz Castle – Residence of the Saxon royalty built in 1525
Continue to 5 of 7 below.
Leipzig zoo
A zoo is a zoo, right? Incorrect!
Known as the zoo of the future, it has been open since 1878, covers 225,000 square meters (56 acres), has the largest tropical house in Europe, more than 850 exotic species of animals and plants and a boat ride that takes you through the Park .
Porsche factory
Germany is synonymous with fast cars and what brand inspires more astonishment than Porsche? Go behind the scenes with a 360 ° view of the facility, learn about the company’s history and – highlights – a driving experience in a Porsche on the FIA certified road circuit.
Leipzig Christmas Market
A series of markets fill the squares of the city creating an endless Christmas land. Like Dresden, Leipzig’s Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas market) is one of the oldest and largest markets (opened in 1458). It has around 300 stalls and is home to more than 2 million visitors, including a historic medieval market and a Finnish village on Augustusplatz before the Leipziger Oper (Opera).
