--- title: "Historical Sites ♥ Leipzig Region" url: "https://www.leipzig.travel/en/discover/culture/historical-sites" description: "Discover historical sites and monumental memorials that recall Leipzig’s eventful past ► See you soon in Leipzig & the Region!" language: "en" breadcrumb: "Root > Leipzig Travel > Discover > Culture > Historical Sites" --- Leipzig’s history ================= Discover historic sites - - - - *Play video*Play external content Please accept all necessary cookies to watch this video. Leipzig is rich in **historic sites and memorials** that offer deep insights into the city’s eventful history. Each year, the on October 9 commemorates the demonstrations of 1989, which marked the beginning of the **Peaceful Revolution** and set the fall of the GDR dictatorship in motion. The and the still stand today as symbolic reminders of the autumn of ’89 and the Peaceful Revolution. The impressive commemorates the **Battle of Leipzig in 1813**, a decisive turning point in the Wars of Liberation against Napoleon. Leipzig’s **long tradition as a**, which dates back to the Middle Ages, underscores the city’s economic importance. These and other historic sites make Leipzig a fascinating destination for history enthusiasts. Leipzig’s historic sites - Numerous arcades and trade courtyards bear witness to Leipzig’s tradition as a **city of trade fairs**, which dates back to the Middle Ages - The commemorates the decisive battle of 1813 in the Wars of Liberation against Napoleon - Leipzig was the starting point of the **Peaceful Revolution** – the commemorates the events of autumn 1989 every year - and the are key historical sites of the Peaceful Revolution in autumn 1989 Autumn ’89 in Leipzig --------------------- *Play video*Play external content Please accept all necessary cookies to watch this video. The people of Leipzig who took to the inner city ring road in their hundreds of thousands in 1989 wanted change. The decisive day of the **Peaceful Revolution was 9 October 1989**, when 70,000 demonstrators overthrew the SED regime in Leipzig with the calls “We are the people!” and “No violence!”. With their courage, their determination and their refusal to use violence, they made history. The moving images of the Monday Demonstrations in the autumn of 1989 went around the world. This meant that national history was made in Leipzig and the foundation was laid for German reunification — a historic event without which today’s European Union would likely not exist. One month after the decisive Monday Demonstration in Leipzig, the Berlin Wall fell during the night of 9 November. With the the city commemorates the events surrounding the Peaceful Revolution every year. On 9 October, the city’s day of remembrance, locals and visitors gather in the city centre to honour the brave demonstrators of 9 October 1989 with thousands of candle lights. illuminate the city centre and fill visitors with awe. - ### Historic sites related to autumn ’89 - Travel offer on the Peaceful Revolution - Places of remembrance of the Peaceful Revolution in Leipzig ----------------------------------------------------------- Gedenkstätte Museum in der Runden Ecke - Museen in Leipzig Peace prayers and Monday demonstrations have made the a worldwide symbol of the Peaceful Revolution of 1989. The central feature of the is the **Nikolaisäule**, erected in 1999, a replica of a column crowned with palm fronds from the nave of the Nikolaikirche. It commemorates the starting point of Leipzig’s **Monday demonstrations**. A granite fountain, elegant and simple in design, is intended to make the churchyard in front of St. Nikolai a place of communication and tranquillity throughout the year. The overflowing water symbolizes the desire for freedom felt by the crowds who demonstrated peacefully there in the autumn of 1989. In the , you gain an impressive insight into the Stasi and its activities during the SED dictatorship, as well as its overcoming through the Peaceful Revolution, in the original preserved rooms of the former District Administration for State Security (Stasi) in Leipzig. As part of the Leipzig Book Fair, readings and book presentations can be experienced here in the former Stasi cinema hall. To keep the memory of the Peaceful Revolution in Leipzig alive, the city combines elements of a vibrant culture of remembrance with the visible anchoring of commemoration in public spaces. mark **important original sites of the democratic awakening of 1989 and 1990**. At each of these places, actions took place that significantly contributed to the fall of the SED dictatorship. Photos with texts in German and English convey the uniqueness, diversity and special character of the Peaceful Revolution in Leipzig. **Places of Remembrance of the Peaceful Revolution** - **:** Venue of the peace prayers - with Victory Column: Starting point in autumn ’89 - Memorial site - **Leipzig Inner City Ring:** former demonstration route of the Monday Demonstrations Welcome to Leipzig – The podcast for your trip to Leipzig Tracing the Peaceful Revolution: From autumn 1989 to the Festival of Lights Leipzig - Monument to the Battle of the Nations ------------------------------------- With around 600,000 soldiers involved, the Battle of the Nations was the largest field battle in world history. More than 100,000 soldiers lost their lives. It is considered the most important battle of the **Wars of Liberation against Napoleon’s French rule**. The **Battle of the Nations** began on October 14, 1813, with a cavalry skirmish near Liebertwolkwitz involving more than 14,000 riders. Napoleon pushed for a decisive battle and fought with his troops from **October 16 to 19, 1813** against the numerically superior army of the allies. Defeated, Napoleon withdrew with his troops on October 19, 1813, without allies. At the historic site in the middle of the former battlefield, the was inaugurated on October 18, 1913, in memory of the fallen soldiers. With a **height of 91 meters**, the Monument to the Battle of the Nations is considered the **largest monument in Europe**. The colossal figures incorporated into the structure alone reach an impressive height of ten meters. ### Excursion tips to historical sites in Leipzig and the region - - ### Blog post Leipzig in 72 hours ------------------- - ### Blog post 10 reasons to visit Leipzig --------------------------- - ### Blog post Leipzig’s most beautiful parks ------------------------------ Leipzig's history as a trade fair city -------------------------------------- Auerbachs Keller - Sehenswürdigkeiten in Leipzig Leipzig has made history not only politically. From a commercial perspective as well, Leipzig looks back on a rich past. As early as the Middle Ages, Leipzig served as an **important trading hub** and, by the end of the 15th century, had developed into an **international trade fair location**. Over the centuries, the **trade fairs and exchanges** continued to grow – along with the volume of goods that had to be transported from A to B. The solution: the sample fair, where only individual display pieces – so‑called samples – were presented. In 1895, the world’s first **sample fair** was held in Leipzig. Even today, architecture fans can marvel at the historic sites created at that time – the unique **trade fair courtyards and** – which run like a red thread through Leipzig’s city centre, connecting pedestrian zones and small alleyways. ### Historic sites: Arcades and trade fair courtyards in Leipzig - ### Discover Leipzig’s historical sites with the Leipzig Explore App Bach-Denkmal - Sehenswürdigkeiten in Leipzig The city walk **“City Center Tour – Leipzig on Foot”** guides you through the historic heart of Leipzig and shows you the most important sights, historical places, and attractions the city has to offer. You will be accompanied by interactive and multimedia elements – let yourselves be surprised! If you have less time available, the highlight tour **“City Center Tour with Selected Highlights”** is perfect for you. On this tour, you will discover the top attractions of the city and get the most out of your visit. - - All tips on historical sites at a glance ----------------------------------------