Leipzig Travel 2013/14

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Leipzig | Historic Highlights
History and Stories
Leipzig’s eventful history is still evident
wherever you look: in the Coffe Baum,
Germany’s oldest coffeehouse, or the
many arcades, courtyards and trade fair
palaces belonging to Leipzig’s long
tradition as a trade fair centre. It’s also
a place where world history was made:
in 1813 Napoleon suffered a humiliating
defeat outside the gates of the city, in the
Battle of the Nations. In 1989 Leipzig was
the epicentre of the Peaceful Revolution.
What began with the Monday prayers
for peace at St. Nicholas Church, led to
a mass demonstration on the Leipziger
Ring on 9 October 1989. 70,000 people
demanded the freedom of speech, of
assembly and of travel. Their chant of
“Wir sind das Volk!” (“We are the people”)
signalled the beginning of the end for
East Germany.
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