 1015 - 2015 Leipzig celebrates 1000
years of history!The city
of Leipzig is an old commercial centre with 500.000 inhabitants.
First mentioned as "urbs Lipzi" in 1015, the city soon
devoloped into an important commercial fair centre - thanks to its
adventageous location at the intersection of two important Medieval
trade routes, the Via Regia and Via Imperii. In 1165 the city got
its town charter with the right, to hold markets. Thus the
Leipziger
Messe is undoubtedly one of the
oldest trade fair venues in the world. Trade fairs, congresses and
events regional, national and international bring thousands of exhibitors
and visitors to the city.
"I praise my Leipzig. It is
a small Paris and educates its people."
 J. W. v. Goethe loving gave Leipzig this nickname
during his studies. The charm of the city as well as the cientific-cultural
atmosphere and its University attracted and inspired many prominent
Germans, who studied, lived and worked here; among them also philosopher
Johann Gottlieb Fichte, as well as the composers Robert Schumann
and Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, who conducted the
Gewandhaus Orchestra from 1835 - 1847. Most prominent - Johann
Sebastian Bach, who worked here from 1723 until his death
in 1750 as composer, choirmaster and musical director of the
St Thomas's Church .
 Many
valuable historic monuments of the renaissance and baroque period
as well as the lively cultural scene give the downtown an unmistakable
face and special charm.
Especially worth mentioning are
the both town-halls, located in Leipzig's historic old town area
- the Old Town-Hall, one of the mostimportant
Renaissance buildings in Germany (1556/57) and the
New Town-Hall
(1899 - 1905), a magnificent castle.
At the Eastern border of the city center you'll find the
Augustusplatz (Augustus Square
- title picture), one of the largest and most beautiful
city-suares in Germany, just a five minutes walk away from
the market place.
 Nature and Leisure Time
Leipzig is
also a green city with beautiful, big parks
and even known as "Little Venice" because of its many
charming waterways, that run through
the city. Beyond the city is sourrounded by
large lakes, where people can enjoy
water sports and many more activities. The lakes all together form
the "Leipziger Neuseenland" (Leipzig New Lake Areas").
It is an area, where old open-cast mines are being converted into
a huge lake district. A special highlight is the
Lake Markkleeberg
Canoe Park, which can be used by anyone who fancies an
exciting rafting experience.
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