There are some storied names of the great and good associated with the historic University city of Leipzig. Nowadays, it styles itself as a 'City of Science and Music', and celebrates some very famous sons and daughters indeed.
Philosopher and mathematician Gottfried Willhelm Leibniz is famed for the discovery (at virtually the same time as Isaac Newton) of the calculus. Whist this discovery might have occurred long after his departure for the greener fields of Hanover, the town of his birth commemorates him with statue in the grounds of the University. It would not be fair however, to view the city as a one trick pony. Other scientific luminaries of the city include Johann Wolfgang Goethe, Friedrich Nietzsche and Werner Heisenberg.
And of course, Leipzig is likewise famous for its musical pedigree. The Notenspur celebrates the many contributors to this storied heritage. Chief among these is of course the granddaddy of them all, Johann Sebastian Bach, interred in the chapel of Thomaskirche, and thundered over by the pipes of the grand organ in regular recitals. But also part of the trail is the fine Mendelssohn house museum, dedicated to Felix, and his lesser known sister Fanny. Along the way one sees the villa where Gustav Mahler stayed when he lived in Leipzig. Steles bear busts of composers Edward Grieg and Franz Schubert, whilst parklands bear the names of Clara Zetkin and Richard Wagner.
The main commercial centre lies withing a ring road, and contains a plethora of buildings in the local Art Nouveau style known as Jugendstil. Many coffee houses are found filled with patrons, enjoying the lively culture. Outside the Ring Road, the wide tree-lined avenues of the city are lined with modest apartment buildings, each of which contains a central courtyard green space, providing air and space and light for the residents. Along the streets, a fast and effective tram system provides easy access to all parts of the city. A city of science and music indeed, but also a very fine place for people to live and enjoy.
Philosopher and mathematician Gottfried Willhelm Leibniz is famed for the discovery (at virtually the same time as Isaac Newton) of the calculus. Whist this discovery might have occurred long after his departure for the greener fields of Hanover, the town of his birth commemorates him with statue in the grounds of the University. It would not be fair however, to view the city as a one trick pony. Other scientific luminaries of the city include Johann Wolfgang Goethe, Friedrich Nietzsche and Werner Heisenberg.
And of course, Leipzig is likewise famous for its musical pedigree. The Notenspur celebrates the many contributors to this storied heritage. Chief among these is of course the granddaddy of them all, Johann Sebastian Bach, interred in the chapel of Thomaskirche, and thundered over by the pipes of the grand organ in regular recitals. But also part of the trail is the fine Mendelssohn house museum, dedicated to Felix, and his lesser known sister Fanny. Along the way one sees the villa where Gustav Mahler stayed when he lived in Leipzig. Steles bear busts of composers Edward Grieg and Franz Schubert, whilst parklands bear the names of Clara Zetkin and Richard Wagner.
The main commercial centre lies withing a ring road, and contains a plethora of buildings in the local Art Nouveau style known as Jugendstil. Many coffee houses are found filled with patrons, enjoying the lively culture. Outside the Ring Road, the wide tree-lined avenues of the city are lined with modest apartment buildings, each of which contains a central courtyard green space, providing air and space and light for the residents. Along the streets, a fast and effective tram system provides easy access to all parts of the city. A city of science and music indeed, but also a very fine place for people to live and enjoy.