"Leipzig - petit Paris (Goethe's words) " a Leipzig Travel Page by german_eagle

First some facts about Leipzig:
Located in East Germany (Saxony), pop. about 450'000, altitude 118 m.

In WWII Leipzig's old town was badly damaged. Much has been restored, but the wounds are obvious.

Everytime I visit Leipzig I feel like in a different world (coming from Dresden, where I live). It is completely different from Dresden, although only 100 km away and still in Saxony!

While Dresden has been Royal Residence for a long time, Leipzig has always been a place for trade and bourgeoise spirit. Its university is the second oldest in Germany and so it can look back on a long tradition of science, literature, music etc. Leipzig is *the* German capital of books!

And IMO it did not happen by accident that the "change" in East Germany started in Leipzig. If there was a place for initiation of this "peaceful revolution" it had to be Leipzig with its liberal spirit.

Leipzig is not imagineable without its famous musicians, writers, scientists - and merchant princes who gave the money!

Probably the most outstanding person is Johann Sebastian Bach. He worked in Leipzig from 1723 to 1750. His contribution to music is not high enough to appreciate. Leipzig realised his importance and pays attention to his heritage.

Bach was not the only one famous person who lived and worked in Leipzig. I leave it to you to explore the city in their footsteps.