Battle of the Nations
by Leipzig
The Battle of the Nations in Leipzig has been one of the first mass battles of modern times and marked the end of Napoleon's reign. In the mid-October days of 1813 more than 560,000 soldiers fought on the battlefield south of Leipzig and nearly 120,000 of them lost their lives here. To remember this battle the Monument of the Battle of the Nations was erected in Leipzig in 1913.
On October 18, 2003 the battle was re-fought by over 2000 actors from 19 countries in historical uniforms. What an event!
Unfortunately, the French and Saxon Confederation lost again against the Aliance under leadership of Russians, Austrians, Swedes and Prussians.
More impressions of the Battle
Grassi Museum
by german_eagle
The Grassi Museum building actually hosts three different museums: The Museum of Decorative Arts, the Ethnological Museum and the Music Instruments Museum.
I must admit I have not made it yet in *any* of the three museums. Shame on me. I have always been too tired from sightseeing when I finally arrived at the Grassi. LOL I only wandered the grounds of the building (Art Deco, built 1927) and the old Johannis Cemetery (10 am - 6 pm, Nov-Feb only until 4 pm) that is located behind the Grassi. It's an interesting cemetery with some nice tombs and a park-like design (not used anymore).
Despite not having been inside I can give you the stats on the museums here:
Opening hours: Tue - Sun 10 am to 6 pm
Johannisplatz 5-11, just a few minutes to walk from Augustusplatz. Tram 4, 7, 12, 15 (Johannisplatz)
Cafe Baum..the name of a...
by bmiller39
Cafe Baum..the name of a coffee and also reportedly the second oldest coffee house in Europe..three levels..excellent !
Second choice is Paulaner Brau haus
This area is sort of a restaurant row for Leipzig with lots of outdoor places..everything is excellent in this area in the Paulaner I would return in a heart beat for the Nurnburg bratwurst with sauerkraut and bratkartoefflen.
From Sophisticated to drab in two steps
by sourbugger
The Madler passage (a shopping arcade) near the centre of town is one of those "must sees". It is sophisticated, and very plesant to walk through with it's upmarket shops, cool cafes life Memphisto and the bronze statues of Faust and Mephistopheles. These statues also mark the entrance to a famous beer cellar (see other tip)
At Christmas a real effort is made, and I was impressed ; but just make one turn in the central atrium and you are into a messy, grey- tiled, 1950's, drab shopping area that would not be out of place in the Old East Germany or a windsept council development in Britain : what a contrast !
Altes Rathaus
by cucaracha
From Nikolaikirche you may come to the Altes Rathaus and appreciate this big old building, its tower, clock, etc.
While at the Markt take a look at the roofs of some of the buildings that surround it, I found some to be interesting.
Erich Mielke, Stasi minister
2. Colorful barefoot cyclist
Nikolaikirche
Hauptbahnhof mall with Christmas decoration
