During the days of the Roman Empire, Leipzig was considered a primary trade city owing to its strategic location along major roads such as the Royal Highway (Via Regia), which stretched from the Rhine to Frankfort. Also known for its culture and music, Leipzig was also home to Bach as well as Wagner, Schumann and Mendelssohn.
Bach was, forgive the pun, instrumental in the early development of the St. Thomas Church Choir, and its conductor from 1723-1750. Today, the St. Thomas Boy’s Choir of Leipzig honors Bach in its repertoire and delights audiences all over the world.
During WWII, the city was moderately bombed by the allies and much of its culture and creativity suffered under the rule of the communist German Democratic Republic (GDR) and their authoritarian secret police known as the STASI.
In recent years, Leipzig is emerging as a tourist mecca with museums, restuarants and historical sites to explore. One such area
Looking something like a large hued-green cube, the Museum der bildenden Künste or fine art museum houses more than 3,500 paintings. During my visit, I saw works by Degas, Monet and Max Klinger. Other museums are the Bach Museum, STASI Museum and the GRASSI Museum of Applied Arts. The latter includes more than 1,500 works inspired by Art Nouveau and Art Deco.
Beautiful buildings are everywhere and the Old City Hall is a glorious example of Rennaisance period architecture. On weekends, the adjacent market square comes alive
The Zum Arabischen Coffe Baum is one of the oldest surviving coffee houses in Europe. Among its famous guests were Bach, Goethe and apparently, even Napoleon.
I never went hungry during my visit as there are numerous restaurants and sidewalk cafes. Grilled bratwurst with German mustard was something I could always find from local vendors and was culinary nirvana when served on a crispy roll.
The most famous restaurant in Leipzig is Auerbachs Keller, once mentioned in Goethe’s Faust. Located downstairs in a shopping arcade, this establishment was started as a wine bar for, among other things, students. Its origins can be traced perhaps all the way back to 1438. Nowadays, they serve local cuisine and I can honestly say that my roulatin, red cabbage and dumplings, were the best I have ever had—anywhere. I think I would come back to this city just to try this dish again.
There are many other things to see and do here, of course, and I have really just scratched the surface. There are tour buses that can show you the sites, and you can take
Once you come for a visit, you will find that this former member of the GDR has turned itself around in a big way with tourist visits that rival other major cities such as Dresden. Whether it is art, music, food, or history, Leipzig is one destination that will not disappoint.
Where to stay:
Hotel Fuerstenhof
https://www.hotelfuerstenhofleipzig.com
Listed as #2 on Tripadvisor, this hotel
is just a short walk from the train station
and close to the city center. They have
92 spacious rooms, great service and
a free breakfast each morning.
For more information:
www.germany.travel
FTC Disclaimer: The transportation, meals, accommodations and attractions were sponsored by the partners mentioned in this article. This did not affect my decision to review these in an honest and forthright manner.
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