welcome to our home town...
The city of Leipzig is an old commercial centre
with 500.000 inhabitants. The long tradition of trade fairs dates back
to the 12th century, when the city got its town charter with the right,
to hold markets. Today the international fairs bring thousands of exhibitors
and visitors to the city.
"I praise my Leipzig. It is a
small Paris and educates its people." (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)
J.
W. v. Goethe loving gave Leipzig this nickname during his studies, when
the city became the centre of a classical literary movement in the 18th
century. The charm of the city as well as the cientific-cultural atmosphere
and its University attracted and inspired many prominent Germans, who studied,
lived and worked here; among them the
philosopherJohann Gottlieb Fichte, as already mentioned Johann
Wolfgang von Goethe and the composers Robert Schumann and Felix
Mendelssohn Bartholdy. The latter conducted the Gewandhaus Orchestra
from 1835 - 1847. From 1723 until his death in 1750,
Johann Sebastian
Bach was choirmaster and musical director of St
Thomas's Church .
Many valuable historic monuments of the renaissance
and baroque period give the downtown an unmistakable face and special charm.
Especially worth mentioning are the both town-halls, located in
Leipzig's historic old town area. The Old Town-Hall
is one of the most important Renaissance buildings in Germany (1556/57).
From 1899 - 1905 the New Town-Hall was built and became the as seat
of the local government. The magnificent castle represents a mix of elements from
late Renaissance, Baroque and Art Noveau. Around 600 rooms on an area of
about 10,000 square meters / 836 square yards, including large foyers,
conference Rooms and halls belong to the imposing house. The main tower
of the building measures 361 feet / 114,5 m, making it the largest
town hall in the world. A guided tour of the house takes you from
the casemates in the basement up to the top of the tower.
Leipzig New Town Hall is part of the World's
Greatest Attractions travel video series by GeoBeats.
Areal
view of the city. |