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Shopping

Shopping in downtown and retail centers. The city offers a variety of specialty shops and souvenier shops.

Central Leipzig: Shopping in a friendly atmosphere

Leipzig's development into a centre of trade fairs and commerce began with the granting of municipal status and market rights back in 1165. In 1497, Leipzig was awarded imperial trade fair privileges by Emperor Maximilian, enabling the city to flourish as of the 15th century. When August the Strong was on the throne, Leipzig became the economic centre of Saxony and underwent its second major upswing. Buildings testifying to this exciting period include Romanus and Fregehaus, as well as the Old Exchange.

In the early 20th century, Leipzig became the world's leading trade fair centre. It was here that the principle of the samples fair was born and successfully applied. Indeed, the architecture in Leipzig's city centre continues to be dominated by old commercial and exhibition buildings, with most of the buildings reflecting the wealth and power of commerce in past eras. Examples include Barthels Hof and trade fair buildings both old and new such as Städtisches Kaufhaus and Zentralmessepalast.

Leipzig is also famous for its beautiful arcades, and at the beginning of the 20th century there were 44 in Leipzig. Many of them have been elaborately restored in recent years and now radiate new splendour. Historical arcades with famous names are to be found wherever you go in the centre of Leipzig, such as Mädler Passage, Strohsack, Barthels and Specks Hof.

Nowadays many small, exclusive shops alongside superlative restaurants and bars provide a unique atmosphere for shopping, browsing, or simply enjoying a stroll.

Moreover, Leipzig is known as a city of change and bold new beginnings. The Peaceful Revolution in 1989 was born in St Nicholas's Church in central Leipzig, and the results of German reunification can be seen everywhere – for example in the form of new office blocks and other commercial buildings tucked in between the city centre's historical architecture.

It could be argued that Leipzig's development into the shopping capital of central Germany began in 1994 when Peek & Cloppenburg's fashion store was opened on Petersstraße. The first privately financed department store to be built in eastern Germany following reunification, it paved the way for other brand-new construction projects such as Strohsack-Passage and Petersbogen, which contains an arcade linking Petersstraße to Burgplatz.

Department stores in Leipzig include: Galeria Kaufhof, Karstadt, Galeria Kaufhof, H&M, Wöhrl and Sport Scheck Don't miss the Marktgalerie on a prestigious site opposite the Old City Hall. Some 11,000 square metres has been reserved for fashion retailer Breuninger. Marktgalerie has been designed to match the surrounding architecture and incorporates the traditional system of arcades.

In addition to 350 shops and 250 cafés, bars and restaurants, the city centre is also home to a varied arts scene. Ranging from the Gewandhaus concert hall and Leipzig Opera House through theatres, comedy revue and variety theatre to the world-famous St. Thomas’s Boys Choir, it really does have something for everyone.

The inner ring road creates a natural boundary, giving the centre a compact area of half a square kilometre. Measuring just 600 x 800 metres, the entire area is easily within walking distance. Ample parking near the centre is provided by the 5,300 spaces in the underground car parks on the ring road. Moreover, a modern traffic guidance system makes the time-consuming search for a parking spot a thing of the past. And the completion of the city centre tunnel makes it easy to reach the centre of Leipzig by rail.

"The centre's where the station is" was the advertising slogan used years ago by the German railways. Yet how apt it remains for modern-day Leipzig! In addition to being the gateway to the city centre, the restored Leipzig Central Station combines the atmosphere and charm of central Leipzig with the international air of Europe's biggest railway terminus.
With over 140 shops and eateries, the shopping mall at Leipzig Central Station reflects the diversity found in the main shopping area with the added bonus of protection from the elements. Another attraction is that many of the shops are open until 10pm.

The city centre of Leipzig is continuing to enjoy rapid development. Thanks to its compact size, variety of functions and a superb blend of shopping, the arts and eating out, it is well on the way to becoming one of Germany's most attractive city centres.

Leipzig PORTAL

Related Topics:
Leipzig, Germany, in a nutshell

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