Leipzig has had a rich and varied history. It was a flourishing trading city from the Bronze age onwards, situated where 2 routes crossed (Sweden-Italy / Spain-Russia). In 1539, this trading and commercial center became a Protestant City.
Leipzig is an unusual city, as the arts were financed by merchants, rather than rich patrons. It has been home to many wonderful artists, musicians and poets, such as Johann Sebastian Bach, Felix Mendelssohn (1809-47), Robert Schumann (1810-56), Goethe (1749-1832) and Schiller (1759-1805).
One of the most significant periods of Leipzig's history was when the Pastor of St Nicholas' Church began peace prayer services that in 1989 led to the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Bach monument. Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750) was in charge of music in the city of Leipzig, the churches and the University. This duty involved continually writing new work to be performed. This monument, outside St Thomas' Church, celebrates Bach's work as the "Cantor" or choirmaster. From July 5 - August 30, 2004 German and International musicians offer free outdoor concerts at 7 p.m. every Monday evening. Back to top.

Old Town Hall. The 400-year-old town hall, the Alt Rathaus, now houses the city history museum,one of Germany’s largest cultural history museums with a particularly rich collection. This beautiful building was completed in just 9 months and includes the stunning 16th century Councilors Hall. This room contains the original table where J. S. Bach signed his contract. There's also a room devoted to Mendelssohn, who conducted the symphony orchestra from 1835 - 1847.

St Thomas Choir is assumed to be as old as the church itself. When Bach was choirmaster, there were 54 boys in the choir. Today there are about 100. The main focus of the choir is the preservation of Bach's choral works. The choir performs here weekly when not on a tour. On Friday night at 6 p.m. the choir performs and on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. the choir performs with the Gewandhaus Orchestra.

Barthels Hof is close to the market area and is Leipzig's last originally preserved trade court, dating back to 1497.Back to top

Auerbachs Keller restaurant – made famous by Goethe and his Faust cycle. You'll also enjoy the Zum Arabischen Coffee Baum , a café and restaurant, one of Europe’s oldest traditional coffee houses, with it's own coffee museum.

St Nicolas' Church is the site of the Peace Prayer Services that marked the beginning of the peaceful revolution for the reunification of Germany in 1989. These prayer meeting continue to meet on Monday evenings at 5 p.m.Back to top

Mendelssohn House is the only remaining home where Felix Bartholody Mendelssohn lived. You may be interested to know that Mendelssohn converted to Christianity from Judaism in 1816, which is when he took the additional name, 'Bartholody'. When Mendelssohn became the director of the Leipzig symphony orchestra, he revived interest in Bach's music, especially St Matthew's Passion. This wonderful museum contains original furniture. On Sunday mornings at 11 a.m. visitors are treated to a short concert. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. You can read more (in German) at their web site: www.mendelssohn-stiftung.de

Schumann House is where Schumann and his beloved wife Clara lived for 20 years. It was their first apartment. The museum is open Monday - Saturday from 2 - 5 p.m.

Memorial to the Battle of the Nations (Völkerschlachtdenkma)– This is a monument to peace built in 1913 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Nations at which Napoleon was defeated by a multi-national army at the gates of Leipzig. Back to top

Eilenburg, 15 miles from Leipzig, is where Martin Rinckart was Pastor during the Thirty Years' War. His church was a haven for the homeless and poor during this difficult time. Pastor Rinckart, even though he was constantly caring for the poor and conducting funerals, found time to write the hymn "Now Thank We All Our God".