Four Hours in Leipzig – Sights Outside the City Centre

Right next to Zoo Leipzig is the Rosental, part of Leipzig’s floodplain forest, or Auwald, with extensive parkland. Take a stroll and breathe in the fresh air across more than 100 hectares. There’s even a chance to say hello to exotic animals: the “window” to the zoo offers a view of the Kiwara savannah in the African-themed part of the zoo, with giraffes, zebras and antelopes. A few minutes’ walk deeper into the Auwald is an observation tower known as the Wackelturm, or Wobbly Tower. Climb up and you’ll soon see where the nickname comes from! But your courage will be rewarded: at a height of 20 metres, you can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view over the treetops and the Leipzig skyline.

Head to the northern edge of the Rosental and retrace history: while staying at the Schillerhaus in 1785, the poet Friedrich Schiller was inspired to write his Ode to Joy. Just around the corner you will find the Gohliser Schlösschen, Leipzig’s last remaining 18th century manor house and estate. You can’t miss its rococo architecture. On the way back to the city centre, we recommend stopping off at the Mückenschlösschen. The restaurant takes its name, which literally means Mosquito Palace, from an amusing anecdote: the Elector of Saxony, Augustus the Strong, is said to have wanted to move to Leipzig in around 1723. However, aggressive mosquitoes forced him to abandon his plans – much to the delight of the people of Leipzig, who were opposed to a summer residence in the Rosental. The next stop is the Waldstraßenviertel, Germany’s largest uninterrupted neighbourhood of 19th century Wilhelminian-style buildings. That means one thing: impressive architecture at every turn.

It’s not just on the water that the west of Leipzig is worth a trip. Enjoy a stroll along Karl-Heine-Straße, which boasts exciting shops and cultural venues, restaurants and cafés. Don’t miss Westwerk, with its studios, shops and eateries. Spend some time on the canal steps. And be sure to visit the old Baumwollspinnerei complex. Under the motto From Cotton to Culture, the industrial site has become an international hotspot for contemporary art and culture. Here you will find a myriad of studios and workshops, exhibition spaces, theatre venues and galleries. Industrial history meets art is also the motto of the Kunstkraftwerk. With stunning audiovisual projections, art becomes a real experience in the former heating plant.

Leipzig is a city of books. So how about a visit to the German Museum of Books and Writing? Over a million items document the history of the origins of books and writing. Next door is the German National Library, which has been collecting all textual, visual and audio publications in and about Germany or in German since 1913.

The old trade fair grounds are a milestone in the history of the trade fair city. The site of trade fairs until the early 1990s is now home to research facilities and leisure activities. Pass the large double M that marks the entrance to the site and continue until you reach the Monument to the Battle of the Nations.

Since 1913, the Völki has commemorated the historic Battle of the Nations against Napoleon in October 1813 and, at 91 metres, is the tallest monument in Europe. Today, it is seen first and foremost as a monument to peace, freedom and understanding between peoples. After climbing 364 steps, the viewing platform offers a fantastic view over the city of Leipzig.

At the Panometer Leipzig you can experience the world’s largest 360° panoramas. Yadegar Asisi has created 32-metre-high circular images for the space that will leave you in awe. Head back to the centre via Karl-Liebknecht-Straße. The best way to enjoy the Leipzig way of life, especially in summer, is to sit outside on one of the many terraces.