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4 – Market Square and the Old City Hall |
The Market Square is situated right in the city centre. In its centre, Leipzig's city coat-of-arms is set in mosaic paving.
The Market Square has been the scene of last executions and first political demonstrations. In 1824, Woyzeck, later to be resurrected in a play by Büchner, died here under the executioner's axe. In 1830, the citizens of Leipzig came to this square to force overdue reform. As a result, their right to participate in municipal decisions was put down in writing in a new city code.
The inviting Market Square is the site of celebrations and festivals. It is also a popular meeting place, above all on occasions like the City Festival, Classic Open, Market Days, Christmas Market and lots of other events.
Work is currently underway on the Market Square station for the Leipzig City Tunnel which will be finished sometime in 2009.
The Old City Hall, built in the record time of nine months between 1556 and 1557 by Hieronymus Lotter and built between two trade fairs, is one of the most beautiful German Renaissance buildings. Some architectural elements have been changed even before its complete restoration in 1672. In 1744, the tower was raised in Baroque style. In the process of this, the former, rather ungainly tower top was adapted to match the sublime spires of the city churches St. Nicholas and St. Thomas. The asymmetry of the architecture makes the long-stretched building look higher.
Since 1909 the Old City Hall has housed the Museum of City History. The historical festive hall is used as a venue for concerts and other events.
Old City Hall
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