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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