Discover Leipzig Through Bach, Luther & the City’s Landmarks

Begin your tour at the Leipzig New Town Hall, one of the city’s most impressive architectural landmarks and the seat of Leipzig’s municipal administration since 1905. Built in a grand Historicist style, the building features ornate façades, elegant courtyards, and Germany’s tallest city hall tower rising to nearly 115 meters. Constructed on the site of the former Pleissenburg fortress, the Town Hall reflects Leipzig’s transformation into a major European trade and cultural center during the late 19th century.

Dating back to the early 20th century, this beautifully restored passage is renowned for its Art Nouveau architecture, glass roofing, and historic atmosphere. Here, visitors can also admire the famous Auerbachs Keller entrance, one of Germany’s oldest wine taverns, immortalized in Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s Faust.

Surrounded by colorful merchant houses and traditional Saxon architecture, the square has served for centuries as Leipzig’s center of trade and public life. During festivals and seasonal markets, the area comes alive with local culture and regional traditions.

Your next stop is the magnificent St. Thomas Church, one of the most important Lutheran churches in Germany. Closely associated with the celebrated composer Johann Sebastian Bach, who served here as cantor for nearly three decades, the church remains a major destination for music lovers worldwide. Bach’s remains are buried inside the church, while renowned figures such as Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy and Richard Wagner also share strong historical connections to this sacred site. Martin Luther preached here in 1539 during the Reformation.

Just outside the church, you will see the Bach Memorial, a striking bronze statue dedicated to Johann Sebastian Bach. Created by sculptor Carl Seffner and unveiled in 1908, the monument commemorates Leipzig’s enduring connection to one of the greatest composers in musical history. The memorial remains one of the city’s most photographed cultural landmarks.

Continue through the historic city center to the Naschmarkt Leipzig, a picturesque square featuring the famous statue of Goethe and a lively café atmosphere. Nearby stands the Old Stock Exchange, the oldest Baroque building in Leipzig, reflecting the city’s long-standing importance as an international trading hub.

You will then arrive at the remarkable St. Nicholas Church, one of Leipzig’s oldest and most historically significant churches. Originally constructed in Romanesque style in 1165, the church later evolved into a Gothic hall church with elegant Baroque additions. Beyond its architectural beauty, St. Nicholas Church played a crucial role in modern German history as the focal point of the peaceful demonstrations that contributed to the fall of the East German regime in 1989.

The surrounding streets showcase Leipzig’s blend of medieval heritage, classical façades, and modern urban culture.

world and the second-oldest university in Germany, founded in 1409. Over the centuries, the university has educated many distinguished scholars, writers, and philosophers. Its modern campus architecture stands alongside historic academic traditions, symbolizing Leipzig’s enduring reputation as a city of knowledge, culture, and innovation.