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Leipzig

Saxony's Metropolis


A place of education and book-publishing for much of the past millennia, Leipzig was the scene of an epic battle and Napoleon's most decisive defeat in 1813. The city was fairly lightly bombed during World War II, but it fell inside of what would become the DDR and rebuilding proceeded at a glacial pace. There were some interesting examples of Soviet architecture built during this time, such as the Opera House, but the Soviets were just as zealous in their desire to destroy any buildings or statues that reminded them of Germany's Imperial past, including a number of old churches. Following Reunification Leipzig has been growing rapidly, becoming popular with young people around Germany and gaining the nickname "Hypezig."

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 Leipzig

Then and Now Photos

Troops Returning From WW1


Troops Returning From WW1 Troops Returning From WW1
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From Wikipedia

1918

German soldiers freshly returned from the trenches in France after the Armistice are now listening to a speech in front of Leipzig's old Rathaus.

Market Square


Market Square Market Square
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From Wikipedia

1804

A painting of the market square created when Leipzig was a part of the Duchy of Saxony.

Diners in Market Square


Diners in Market Square Diners in Market Square
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From Wikipedia

1890

People enjoy lunch in a streetside cafe in the market square.

Concert Hall


Concert Hall Concert Hall
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From Wikipedia

1884

This is the Concert Hall. The old photo was taken just after its completion in 1884, but the building was destroyed by Allied bombing during the Second World War. The current building was erected during the DDR era, in 1981.

Peterstrasse Crowds


Peterstrasse Crowds Peterstrasse Crowds
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From Wikipedia

1919

A busy day on Peterstrasse.

Volkhaus After Kapp Putsch


Volkhaus After Kapp Putsch Volkhaus After Kapp Putsch
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From Wikipedia

1920

The Volkshaus here was the headquarters of Leipzig's trade unions. In the old photo it has been burned to the ground by the Reichswehr. During the Kapp Putsch in 1919, when army officers attempted to overthrow the Weimar Republic and bring in a right wing autocracy, the coup leaders were thought to have made their headquarters in this building. The army attacked the Volkshaus and destroyed it in a bid to flush out the coup plotters.

The Pleissenberg


The Pleissenberg The Pleissenberg
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From Wikipedia

1893

The Pleissenberg as seen from across the river Pleisse. Today the buildig has been replaced by the new Town Hall.

South Goethestrasse


South Goethestrasse South Goethestrasse
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From Wikipedia

1890

People, carts and horse-drawn trams work their way up and down South Goethestrasse. The building on the far left remains the same.

People on the Bruhl


People on the Bruhl People on the Bruhl
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From Wikipedia

1890

A crowd of men, women and children, pose for a photo on the Bruhl. The building at the end of the street on the left side is the only one that still stands.

The Heuwaage


The Heuwaage The Heuwaage
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From Wikipedia

1855

This photo gives us a glimpse deep into a long-vanished era. The building seen is the Heuwaage, which dates to the early 17th Century. It was demolished just after this photo was taken and today its site is occupied by a modern office building.

Men on the Bruhl


Men on the Bruhl Men on the Bruhl
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From Wikipedia

1894

Two men walk along the Bruhl by Nikolaistrasse.

Celebration on the Bruhl


Celebration on the Bruhl Celebration on the Bruhl
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From Wikipedia

1906

A busy day on the Bruhl. German national flags and decorations are out, perhaps to mark the visit of a member of the royal family. Once again little has survived the Second World War and decades of Communism except for the street layout.


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