Thomaskirche & Thomanerchor, Leipzig

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The St. Thomas Church is a Lutheran church that is most famous as the place where Johann Sebastian Bach worked as a Kapelmeister, and as the current location of his remains.
It stands Southwest of the Markt. Originally built around 1212 and it was much altered in later centuries. In the 15th C. it was given the form of a Late Gothic hall-church in the style of Upper Saxony.
The west front dates from renovation work carried out between 1872 and 1889.
Martin Luther preached in the church in 1539.
Remains of Johann Sebastian Bach were brought here in 1950 from St John's Church which was destroyed during the Second World War.

You will see the Monument to Johann Sebastian Bach at the St. Thomas Church where he worked as a Kapelmeister. Johann Sebastian Bach was choirmaster from 1723 to 1750. His remains were brought here in 1950 from St John's Church which was destroyed during the Second World War.

The Thomaskirche - built in 1212 - is one of the major Leipzig churches. The interior is decorated with beautiful stained-glass-windows, depicting Johann Sebastian Bach (who was from 1723-1750 chief organisator for church music in Leipzig), reformator Martin Luther (who preached in the Thomaskirche 1539) and Swedish King Gustav Adolf (who, because of his intervention in the 30-years war in Germany was regarded as the protector of the protestant faith). The famous boychoir of the Thomas-Kirche (Thomaner-Chor) has concerts every friday at 6 p.m. and every saturday at 3 p.m.

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Tourists, don’t worry about your photos – Leipzig’s tourist office provides help.
The Perfect Photo of Thomaskirche can be taken from one certain spot on the other side of the little lawn in the square. This spot is marked with a bronze plate on the ground. Stand in the footprints and shoot away… Light is best in the morning!

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The late gothic church does not look very spectacular, nevertheless it is Leipzig’s most visited attraction. The church’s fame is connected with the Thomaner boys choir and its most famous conductor ever – Johann Sebastian Bach. I think there is no need to explain who he was… After his death in 1750 Bach was buried in the church of St John, which was destroyed in World War II so his mortal remains were transferred to St Thomas and buried in front of the altar where his grave can still be adored.
Thomaskirche website

The Thomaner choir sing in the Motette every Friday (6 p.m.) and Saturday (3 p.m.), except during the school holidays and when they are away on concert tours, in that case other choirs will perform. A very small entrance fee buys a leaflet with the programme. Come half an hour earlier if you want seats at all, and at least 45 minutes earlier if you want decent seats.
Thomanerchor website

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St Thomas's Church was originally built in 1212 but was rebuilt in gothic style in the 15th century. Martin Luther(1483-1546) spoke here in 1539. Further renovations took place in the beginning of the 18th century (the baroque turret in 1702) and in late 19th century the impressive main entrance (1886) which is my favourite part of the church. The church is often used as a concert hall and it’s famous as the home of St Thomas’s Boys choir known as Thomanerchor. You can listen to them every Friday and Saturday. I was there on Thursday :(

Johann Sebastian Bach(1685-1750) worked here 1723-1750. He was the choir’s master and he is buried in a tomb inside the church. The tomb transferred from the damaged Johaniskirche in 1950. In front of the church you can see a 2,5m high statue of J.S.Bach. It was designed in 1908 by Carl Seffner and there is another one in the park opposite the church.

If you want to learn more about J.S.Bach you also visit Bach Museum in Bose House that can be found opposite St Thomas Church at Thomaskirchhof 16. This baroque building was originally built in the 16th century but was rebuilt in the 1711 by Georg Bose. The rich merchant Georg Bose had J.S.Bach often as a guest in this house. The exhibition “Bach in Leipzig” inform about his life and works.

The museum is under renovation in 2009 but you can visit the small Bach Museum uaf Zeit in Thomaskirchhof 14 daily 11.00-18.00 with no entrance fee.

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Visit the Thomas Church where the composer J.S.Bach worked for many years. The composer is buried in the church. Outside the church is a wonderful statue of the composer.
The church is late Gothic built in 1482-96. There are lovely Renaissance galleries which were built in 1570 by Hieronymus Lotter.
We went to a service in the church , they are held on friday evenings and saturday afternoons.

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For the baroque music lover, a visit to St Thomas' Church of Leipzig is a must. The great musician Johann Sebastian Bach spent the last 27 years of his life as Cantor of St. Thomas' Church, Leipzig, and he is buried beneath the floor of the chapel. His grave always has a tribute of flowers and is visited by people from all over the world.
The church was founded 1212 -22 and in 14th and 15th centuries rebuilt in Gothic style. From the outside, it does not stand out as a very impressive church unlike many other more elaborate cathedrals in Europe. A statue of J S Bach stands tall at the back of the church. The church is home of the world-famous Thomanerchor (boys choir), which sings the motets and cantatas of J S Barch regularly in the church.

One of the highlights in Leipzig! Among the most important sights in the city and it doesn't appoint you.

First of all it's a beautiful building! From the outside it looks like built without a proper plan in mind. In every century the church was "updated" with the fancy style of the time. Last restauration was in 2000, right in time with the 250th anniversary of Johann Sebastian Bach.

Which takes us to the next point, why it is so interesting to see this church, its historical importance. Martin Luther spoke here in 1539, Mozart played the organ here during a visit, Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy played with the Gewandhaus orchestra but most of all: Johann Sebastian Bach was the most famous cantor the famous choir of this church has ever had. He is even buried in this church. From 1723 until his death in 1750 he worked here and wrote countless masterpieces. His spirit is still there.

Especially when the famous choir, the Thomanerchor, is singing in its home church. It's been in existence since the 13th century, the sing a lot of Bach's work, tour the world and sing during Sunday mass. There are about 100 students at the moment who sing in the choir. I was extremely lucky to hear them having a rehearsal for the mass on Easter Sunday, and it wasn't only the Thomanerchor but also the equally famous Gewandhausorchester, one of the best orchestras in Germany. Wonderful wonderful music!!

They sell a leaflet about the church - don't buy it. It's quite dull and doesn't talk about the interesting facts. The little exhibition in the church is very detailled and informative though.

Walking through Leipzig I felt a lot of good emotions. But sometimes I felt really astonished and my beer and schnapps disappeared in my blood making me sober immediately. One of such places, that impressed me so much was Thomaskirche. Surely, that is the place that you might visit. That you must look. That you must feel.