Leipzig Attractions
Thomaskirche, the church where Bach played the organ, is worth a visit. Bach wrote the St. Mathew Passion and other works while serving here from 1723 to his death in 1750. Besides memorials to Bach and his contemporaries, there's a small exhibition of old instruments inside. Organ concerts are given frequently on Sunday evenings. Every Monday evening in July and August there are concerts at the Bach monument. The next Bach festival will be held May 23 to June 1, 2003 in Leipzig.
But there are other musical monuments as well, consider the Schumann House (site opens lots of windows if you have java enabled) where Robert and Clara started their marriage, or the Mendelssohn house at Goldschmidtstreet 12, where Felix lived and is buried.
Across the street is the Bach museum, open from 10-5. The street has many coffee houses where you might want to stop for a slice of Sachertorte or other cakes.
The Stasi Museum presents the permanent exhibition of "Stasi - Power and Banality" about "The dictatorship of the proletariat – the Ministry of State Security´s role as the SED´s instrument of terror." See how people were spied upon in Leipzig during the cold war period.
Food and drink in Leipzig
The finest coffee, they say, comes to Germany. But it comes at a cost in Leipzig. A simple cup of the stuff can run over 2 euros at a cafe. Tea drinkers may want to rethink their preferences--the beverage can run up to 4 euros. But if you want to have that coffee in style, try Zum Arabischen Coffee Baum and go upstairs to the coffee museum afterward.
For fantastic (and abundant!) ice cream concoctions, try the cafes along Grimmaische Street. For Italian food in a lively outdoor cafe street, go to Barfubgabchen, a street that runs east from the center of Markt square.
Bach isn't the only legend in town. For good, although a tad expensive eats, try the tavern where Mephistofoles took Faust for a beer with the University Students at the Auerbachs Keller. Dinner for two with wine and beer runs around $50. The Keller was founded in 1525.
Auerbach's
Keller
Mädler-Passage
Grimmaische Straße 2 - 4
04109 Leipzig
Telephone: 0049-341- 21 61 00
If you're hankering for a bagel, get the classics at the Bagel Brothers on Nikolaistrabe, 42 in the northwest corner of the old town.
Laundromat
The Mega Pon, on Gottshedstraub, just west of the old town, is just around the corner from the Sleepy Lion hostel. It's a laundromat and cafe open till 2 in the morning. Other interesting cafes line the street as well, so you'll find something to do while your clothes rotate.
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Leipzig in Pictures
See our Leipzig Photo Gallery.
