During your visit, you should definitely not forget the beautiful and diverse architecture in Leipzig. Here you can admire many buildings from different eras in the Gothic, Romantic, Renaissance and modern styles.
Some of them have become landmarks of the city. City-Hochhaus stands out in particular: at 142,5 metres, it is the tallest office building in the city. Central Station Leipzig made of sandstone and the Monument to the Battle of the Nations significantly shape the cityscape.
Leipzig's architectural landmarks
Centuries-old walls: Nikolaikirche (1165) Thomas Church (1212) and Altes Rathaus (1556)
From the second half of the 2th century: Bayerischer Bahnhof (1842/44) and Supreme Administrative Court (1895)
After the turn of the century in 1900: Neues Rathaus (1905) and Central Station (1915)
Recent landmarks: Leipzig Opera (1956) and City-Hochhaus (1971)
A walk through the unique passage system and the trade fair palaces recalls the centuries-old tradition as Trade fair cityThey have shaped the image of Leipzig's city centre for 500 years. Their history is closely linked to its development into an up-and-coming trading and trade fair city.
Although other European cities also have many shopping arcades, only Leipzig has such a closed system within the city center. The size of the Leipzig arcade system is unique in EuropeThe city of Leipzig feels particularly committed to this urban uniqueness and so the historical passages and courtyards are not only preserved, but new ones are even being created.
Check out our page about the Leipzig city center where you can read details about the individual passages.
Leipzig is home to over 15.000 cultural monuments - including 80 percent of Wilhelminian style buildings - is Germany's monument capital and has the greatest wealth of Wilhelminian and Art Nouveau buildings in terms of quantity and quality. The city experienced a real boom during the Wilhelminian period, characterized by widespread industrialization and a boom in the economy. Construction boomImposing residential areas were built such as Waldstraße district, music quarter or the popular southern suburb and buildings such as the Michaeliskirche or even that new townhall.
With the immigration flows caused by industrialization, the demand for apartmentsThe answer of the Gründerzeit period was uniform development plans and privately owned apartment building. A social mix of the newly emerging residential areas was guaranteed by setting up shops and merchants' apartments in the front buildings, apartments for employees on the upper floors and workers' quarters in the back courtyards.
A dazzling example of masterful residential construction during Leipzig's historicism period is the Waldstraßenviertel, northwest of the city center. The Waldstraßenviertel's name derives from its location—it lies on both sides of Waldstraße. Due to its proximity to Rosental The Waldstraßenviertel was particularly popular as a building site for the apartments of the wealthy middle class.
The tasteful buildings of late classicism, historicism and art nouveau still characterize the image of the Waldstrasse district today. The lavishly decorated street facades, the numerous preserved and renewed decorations and the paintings in the hallways and reception halls are particularly impressive. Around 550 houses belong to the Waldstrasse district, most of them are listed buildings.
The Music Quarter is located southwest of the city center. The name refers to the music institutions built in the district: the second Gewandhaus (1884) and the Royal Conservatory of Music (1887). Many streets in the district were named after composers.
Magnificent buildings such as the Bibliotheca Albertina, the former Reich Court and the Academy of Visual Arts Leipzig can be admired in the music quarter. Apartments were also built for the wealthy middle class. Architecturally impressive are the Roßbach House, which was built in 1892/93 based on a design by Arwed Roßbach, and the villas on Karl-Tauchnitz-Strasse, where 13 of the 32 villas still exist. The villa plots were generously planned and provided space for front gardens and coach houses. The district's proximity to Clara-Zetkin-Park and the Auenwald forest means it offers the best living conditions.
The Südvorstadt district stretches between the city center and the Connewitz district. Due to its proximity to the center and the trendy Karl-Liebknecht-Straße, it is preferred by young people. The spacious residential area has a large number of historicist and Art Nouveau buildings.
In addition to Karl-Liebknecht-Straße and the parallel Kochstraße, August-Bebel-Straße stands out in terms of urban development. This was designed after 1870 as a 34-meter-wide avenue between Richard-Lehmann-Straße and Mahlmannstraße and is considered one of the most magnificent residential streets in Leipzig. Many villa-like apartment buildings with tranquil front gardens have been preserved. Shops were not allowed on the street.
Schillerstrasse, which borders Peterstrasse, is considered a magnificent street of Leipzig's historicism. The residential and commercial buildings at Schillerstrasse 3 to 6, which were built in a closed development between 1861 and 1863, are architecturally impressive. Characteristic details on the houses are round-arched windows, natural stone cladding, relief friezes and straight roof edges. Opposite the building complex is a green area designed by the Prussian garden artist Peter Joseph Lenné, which was opened on November 100, 10, on the occasion of Friedrich Schiller's 1859th birthday. The Lenné complex, also known as Schiller Park by the people of Leipzig, is particularly valued by students as an oasis in the middle of the bustling city center.
The Nordplatz, located near the zoo, with its impressive historical ensemble, is considered one of the most beautiful square designs from the Wilhelminian era (1890-1918). At the intersection of several sight lines is the Michaeliskirche with its approximately 70-meter-high church tower.
The first building to be built on the square was the residential building at Nordplatz 1888, built in the neo-baroque style between 1890 and 1. It is also the end point of Nordstrasse, which leads from the city center to Nordplatz. Other magnificent historicist buildings follow, including the residential building at Nordstrasse 2, built in the neo-renaissance style, and the corner building at Nordplatz 1904, built in 05/3.
Welcome to Leipzig - The Podcast for your Leipzig Trip
Buntgarnwerke, Federal Administrative Court, Völki & Co.
Throughout Leipzig you can see the buildings of the formative era of industrialization. In addition to large-scale industrial buildings in the west of Leipzig, the Old Exhibition Grounds in the east or the 170-year-old Kulturfabrik WERK2 in Connewitz in the south to the monuments of industrial culture.
Special highlight: The 90-hectare industrial architecture monument in the trendy district Plagwitz! This district was the first planned, large-scale industrial area in Germany. Closely linked to the history of Plagwitz, entrepreneurship was significantly influenced by Dr. Carl Erdmann Heine (1819-1888). It was mainly through his commitment between 1840 and 1880 that Leipzig became a pioneer of German industrialization.
After successful renovation and conversion of the former Wilhelminian buildings, many of the buildings in the west of Leipzig can now be found. magnificent brick buildings admire.
The Spinnerei, once the largest cotton spinning mill in Europe, today offers an enormously wide range of options for art lovers and at the same time remains the creative home of Leipzig artists. Do you want to discover more industrial buildings with a unique charm? You will also find them in the neighboring district of Lindenau, where, among other things, the wallpaper factory and art powerhouse waiting for your visit.
170 Years of Kulturfabrik WERK 2
100 + artist studios in the Spinnerei
8 factory buildings for artists in wallpaper factory
The most impressive examples of contemporary architecture can be found in the city’s industrial buildings. Instead of creating makeshift solutions, the investors sought well-known architects and created sophisticated buildingsthat reflect the spirit of the times. A highlight is the new Leipzig Trade FairDesigned by Gerkan, Marg and Partner, it was opened in April 1996 as a state-of-the-art exhibition and congress center designed.
Architecturally unique are the production sites of Porsche and BMW, which were opened in 1999 and 2005. The new building of the Museum of Fine Arts has been demonstrating since 2005 that contemporary architecture has a exciting contrast But the new buildings of the University, German National Library and the MDR express the self-confidence of an up-and-coming city.
There is also a lot to discover in Leipzig outside of the city centre! With the “Leipzig Beyond” tours of the Explore Leipzig App you can explore the city's trendy districts and experience parts of the city off the beaten track. You just can't decide? No problem - with the help of a slot machine or "Leipzig Beyond Matching" you're sure to find the right tour for your visit to Leipzig! Architectural highlights from past and modern times can be found all over the city.
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