BERLIN, Munich, Hamburg. These are the top three German cities visited by Australian tourists, and with good reason.
But then, there’s Leipzig. Only 75 minutes by fast train from Berlin, it is arguably the country’s best kept secret as far as Aussies are concerned; hotel records show fewer than 5000 took the trouble to visit last year. Which is a pity, because everyone else missed something lovely.
The central part of the old city is compact and easy to walk or ride around. While there’s a lot to see and do, it also has a relaxing vibe in contrast with the touristy frenzy of the bigger cities. Coffee houses and restaurants abound, including Germany’s oldest cafe, Zum Arabischen Coffe Baum, dating from 1720.
The city’s ancient history as a cross-European trading centre with a flourishing garment industry is well chronicled in the Leipzig City Museum, an impressive 18th-century building in the main square, plus other smaller museums and galleries highlighting specific interests such as art and music.
Leipzig is proud of its music heritage. And perhaps the best way to soak it up is the Leipzig Music Trail, a self-guided walking or cycling tour of 23 sites linked with composers JS Bach, the Schumanns, Felix Mendelssohn, Gustav Mahler and others. Stops include:
- The Schumann House, where Robert and Clara Schumann lived and worked after their wedding in 1840. Here, by arrangement, you can enjoy a recital of some of their most famous songs while being treated to a music history lesson. Of late, more attention has been paid to the compositions of the gifted Clara. In fact, 2019 has been designated “Clara19” Year.
- St Thomas Church and the Bach Museum, where you might hear a performance by the St Thomas Boys’ Choir or a chamber concert in the very place where Bach was music director from 1723-50.
- The Leipzig Opera, or Gewandhaus, with its world-famous orchestra. Attend a performance if you can.
- Mendelssohn House, preserved as the family home and lovingly restored.
An amazing feature is the Conductor’s Room, where you can mount the podium and conduct a full virtual orchestra with hi-fi speakers for each section of the orchestra.
IF YOU GO…
Hidden Leipzig is a booklet and online presentation of 142 tips for visitors.
Staying at the Fuerstenhof, an 18th-century mansion that is now a luxury hotel, will be sure to make your Leipzig experience complete.
It even has an underground grotto with pool and spa.
- leipzig.travel/en
- hidden-leipzig.com
- hotelfuerstenhofleipzig.com