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Leipzig
Tourist information - Leipzig
Viewing the many sights of the city is rewarding: Leipzig has a whole host of museums, impressive monuments and buildings of historical importance, not to mention the historical trade fair
The Stadtgeschichtliche Museum (Local History Museum) is housed inside the Altes Rathaus on the main market square, and offers information on all aspects of local history. Other sights include the Völkerschlachtdenkmal (the monument of the Battle of the Nations), the Museum Zum Arabischen Coffe Baum, the Schillerhaus and the Sportmuseum. The city's more recent past can be explored in the Museum in der Runden Ecke and in the Stasi Bunker.
The Museum der bildenden Künste, the main fine arts museum, offers its visitors a glimpse into different artistic periods and genres. The nearby Naturkundemuseum explores the relationship between man and nature, as well as some more general ecological issues. For music-lovers, Leipzig has the Johann Sebastian Bach Museum, the Mendelssohn Haus, and the Musical Instruments Museum. The latter is housed in the Grassimuseum, which also includes the Museum of Ethnology and the Museum of Arts and Crafts. Others include the Egyptian Museum, the Automatic Museum and a Technical Centre. Further collections tailored to more specific interests are the Museum of Printing, the National Garden Museum, the Camera and Photo Museum, the Historical Railway Station and the Saxon Chemists' Museum.
Leipzig also has a wide array of cafés, bars and pubs in which students, trade fair visitors and tourists all meet up for a drink. Those who prefer to spend their day and money on jewellery, stylish clothing or souvenirs can follow their heart's desire during a leisurely walk around the shopping districts of the town centre. Here, numerous boutiques and shops make for an enjoyable afternoon. A large number of specialist shops attract many a curious passer-by in the Mädler Passage, Messehofpassage, and Petersstraße, as well as in the Messehaus Specks Hof and Barthels Hof. The Städtische Kaufhaus and other department stores offer at least as much as the newly built shopping centres. The regular markets for fresh produce, flowers, ceramics and books all have vendors calling out for the attention of potential customers as they seek to sell their quality wares.
Leipzig catches the hearts of sports fans, since all can have a good romp, or at least contentedly spectate. All around Leipzig, enthusiasts jog through parks and skaters speed along streets. Other appealing activities include swimming, cycling, rowing, fishing, volleyball and fencing.
Germany's largest stadium was built here in 1965 and has seen many tears - be it in victory or defeat. There's also the Scheibenholz race-track, where so many have tried their luck with a flutter. Other sporting events include international tournaments such as the German freestyle wrestling championship, held in the summer, and the international women's tennis Grand Prix in autumn. For those seeking something more relaxing, Leipzig has some romantic lakes where visitors can indulge themselves by soaking up the afternoon sun.
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