--- title: "Four Hours in Leipzig – Discover the Sights of the City Centre" url: "https://www.leipzig-convention.com/en/article/four-hours-in-leipzig-discover-the-sights-of-the-city-centre" language: "en" type: "Article, BlogPosting" image: "https://dam.destination.one/2514134/e9e1b4e85a01247d6242aa96e7a67f36d1db43aacb3a2b004410b3e8bfd920cb/augustusplatz-with-opera-gewandhaus-and-city-hochhaus-leipzig-convention-bureau.jpg" breadcrumb: "Root > Leipzig Convention > Special > Destination.Data Details > Article" --- Share Four Hours in Leipzig – Discover the Sights of the City Centre =============================================================== - Location - Top highlight - Blog-Artikel Augustusplatz with Opera, Gewandhaus and City-Hochhaus \| Leipzig Convention Bureau Grimmaische Straße \| Leipzig Convention Bureau Alte Börse \| Leipzig Convention Bureau Have you got four hours to spare? Perhaps on the day you arrive before your conference, in the afternoon after your congress programme, or before you leave Leipzig? Then why not use the time to explore Leipzig’s city centre? There is so much to see in a relatively compact area: experience history up close; come with us up high and underground; follow in the footsteps of history, music and literature; and prepare to be surprised at every turn. All you need is comfortable shoes, open eyes and a map or smartphone to help you find your way. Leipzig’s sights in the city centre ------------------------------------ ### **Stunning traces of the past** A city map is available from the . Just around the corner, you’ll find the market square with the . Dating from 1556/57, it is one of the most beautiful Renaissance buildings in Germany and houses the . Visit the permanent exhibitions and immerse yourself in Leipzig’s past. Admission is free. A few metres further on is . It is known throughout the world as the place where Johann Sebastian Bach worked and as the home of the St Thomas Boys’ Choir. The restaurants and cafés in the Thomaskirchhof are ideal for taking a break and enjoying the impressive views. Follow the green of the ring road to the New Town Hall. It is one of the world’s largest town halls. At almost 115 metres, the town hall tower is said to be the tallest in Germany. Next, stop by at the and pop underground. Its winding vaults are the only vestige of Leipzig’s former fortifications and now combine great food and culture. Just next door, the sky’s the limit: the skyscraper – nicknamed the “Uniriese” or “Uni Giant” by locals – is the tallest building in Leipzig. Enjoy fantastic views of the city from the 120-metre-high viewing platform. Directly below you, you will see the city campus of Leipzig University, Germany’s second oldest university, with the impressive . - Visit the Tourist Information Centre at Katharinenstraße \| Leipzig Convention Bureau - Supporting programme Visit to Leipzig's Old Town Hall \| Leipzig Convention Bureau - Supporting programme: Visit to St. Thomas Church in Leipzig \| Leipzig Convention Bureau - St Thomas Church \| Leipzig Convention Bureau - Augustusplatz with University of Leipzig and Krochhochhaus \| Leipzig Convention Bureau - Event venue MORITZBASTEI \| Leipzig Convention Bureau The musical side of Leipzig ---------------------------- ### **Discoveries along the Leipzig Music Trail** Back on Augustusplatz, it’s worth taking a closer look at the . The painting “The Song of the Earth” can be seen through the glass front. And at 720 square metres, it is the largest ceiling mural in Europe. It is an awe-inspiring sight, especially in the evening light! Just like directly opposite. Would you like to see even more of Leipzig as a city of music? Then seek out the . This fascinating route links the city’s musical treasures. You can find the online and it is also signposted – curved pieces of metal set into the ground connect the stops on the tour. This will also take you to . It is the oldest church in the city. Its prayers for peace were a starting point for the Peaceful Revolution in Leipzig. A few steps further on, the is worth stopping for a photo – and perhaps even a coffee break. The historic coffeehouse with its mix of Art Nouveau and Chinese architecture is adorned with two imposing elephant heads. - Event venue Gewandhaus Leipzig at night with ceiling artwork \| Leipzig Convention Bureau - Augustusplatz with Opera, Gewandhaus and City-Hochhaus \| Leipzig Convention Bureau - music trail stele at Augustusplatz \| Leipzig Convention Bureau - Supporting programme: Visit to St. Nicholas Church in Leipzig \| Leipzig Convention Bureau - Supporting programme visit to Café Riquet \| Leipzig Convention Bureau - Music trail station at St Thomas Church \| Leipzig Convention Bureau Tracing the world’s oldest trade fair city ------------------------------------------- ### **Through passages and past former centres of trade and commerce** Another must-see is the magnificent with the bronze statues of Mephisto and Faust at the entrance to Auerbachs Keller. Prince of poets J.W. von Goethe immortalised in his “Faust”, making it world famous. The wine bar’s prominent guests included none other than Martin Luther. Don’t forget to rub Faust’s bronze foot. They say it brings luck! The Mädler-Passage is one of many passages and courtyards that reflect Leipzig’s history as the world’s oldest trade fair city. They once allowed horse-drawn carriages to pass through to deliver goods. Later, striking trade fair complexes were constructed in the city centre. When walking through central Leipzig, it is therefore always worth looking up: many buildings still display names that refer to passages and courtyards, recalling the trade fairs of old. The is also part of the history of this trade fair city. The baroque building was once a meeting place for merchants. And that’s not all: at the “Markt” S-Bahn station, the former entrance to the underground trade fair centre is now where passengers head down to the Leipzig City Tunnel. The centre was the world’s first underground exhibition building. Why did they hold exhibitions underground in Leipzig, you ask? The answer is simple: the city centre’s trade fair complexes had run out of space. - Mädler-Passage \| Leipzig Convention Bureau - Alte Börse \| Leipzig Convention Bureau - Passage Kleines Joachimsthal \| Leipzig Convention Bureau - Passage Barthels Hof \| Leipzig Convention Bureau - Städtisches Kaufhaus at the Neumarkt \| Leipzig Convention Bureau Shopping and dining in Leipzig city centre ------------------------------------------ ### **Small shops, big centres and places to indulge** And while we’re on the subject of trade: Leipzig’s city centre is a wonderful mix of historic treasures and modern . Especially in the passages you will find many shops of all kinds, from souvenirs and delicatessen to haute couture. There is also plenty to discover in the two large shopping centres – and the . And what’s more, there’s a lot to indulge in during your short stay. There are cafés, restaurants and bars along all the routes through the city centre, perfect for a break. Take a seat and enjoy the Leipzig lifestyle. - Shopping on Nikolaistraße \| Leipzig Convention Bureau - Höfe am Brühl shopping center \| Leipzig Convention Bureau - Shopping on Grimmaische Straße \| Leipzig Convention Bureau - Supporting programme visiting a restaurant \| Leipzig Convention Bureau A dose of fine arts, contemporary history and Bach -------------------------------------------------- ### **Museums in the centre** If you want to delve even deeper into the past, then besides the Museum of City History, there are other museums in the city centre that are worth visiting. The wows visitors with its spectacular architecture and works from the late Middle Ages to the present day. Visit the permanent exhibition free of charge. The tells the story of divided Germany and the period after reunification. Admission is free. The “” memorial museum offers a fascinating insight into the work and history of the Ministry for State Security in the GDR. At the , look forward to an interactive and musical journey through the life and work of Johann Sebastian Bach and Bach scholarship. In case you do have more than four hours to spare: outside the city centre reflect Leipzig’s status as a centre for the fine and applied arts**.** - Visit the Leipzig Museum of Fine Arts \| Leipzig Convention Bureau - Grimmaische Straße \| Leipzig Convention Bureau - The Memorial Museum in the “Round Corner” \| Leipzig Convention Bureau - Supporting programme Visit to the Bach Museum at St. Thomas Church in Leipzig \| Leipzig Convention Bureau - GRASSI Museum \| Leipzig Convention Bureau - Visit at Gallery of Contemporary Art \| Leipzig Convention Bureau Guided tours, sightseeing and app tours --------------------------------------- ### **Personal recommendations included** Want to explore the city with an expert guide? More information and tickets for guided and sightseeing tours are available from the . The team will also be happy to give you personal recommendations. Or why not let the app be your guide? For the city centre, you can choose between a highlights tour or a longer route. Interactive elements such as 360-degree panoramas, before and after sliders and videos are always included. Just download the app and get started. - Digital information column \| Leipzig Convention Bureau - Supporting programme Guided walking tour through Leipzig city centre \| Leipzig Convention Bureau - Guided tour of Leipzig city centre as part of the supporting programme \| Leipzig Convention Bureau - Sightseeing with the Explore Leipzig app \| Leipzig Convention Bureau Our recommendations ------------------- View on map - Location - Trends - Location - Location - Location Show more