Leipzig
As one of the oldest university and trading cities in Germany, Leipzig has become a dynamic and attractive place in Central Germany. Established at the intersection between Via Regia and Via Imperii, Leipzig emerged to a vital trading place with high economic importance, also due to its 500 years of trade fair history. With around 630,000 inhabitants today it is a driving engine for the regional economy as well as a cultural and educational centre.
Entertainment
Leipzig is a city with international reputation and as such has plenty of entertainment options available. If you want to relax after a busy day you can easily dive into Leipzig's cultural scene by means of theatre, concerts, museums or sport events.
- Many interesting places can be found close to the HTWK Campus on Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse, such as the NaTo at Südplatz. The bar and cinema offers various theatre plays and movies, served with biological beverages. Apart from that they organise the annual soap box derby at Fockeberg.
- Some 100 m into town the alternative landmark of Leipzig shines on top of Feinkost. The area beneath the illuminated advertising hosts little stores as well as the Absturz and offers open air cinemas during summer.
- At Werk II next to Connewitz Kreuz you find sport clubs, small shops, a graphics printing atelier among other ateliers and the huge event halls of the former factory. Parties and concerts of all kind take place here almost on a daily basis.
- In order to get to know the fine arts of the so called "Leipzig School", you should rather visit Plagwitz in the west of Leipzig. The venue Westwerk and the exhibition halls of Alte Baumwollspinnerei (old cotton spinning mill) became centres for art and culture. At both sites you can visit plenty of crafting workshops, (temporary) exhibitions and much more. Nowadays, the cultural scene expanded with sport clubs offering archery and yoga. The atelier of the famous painter Neo Rauch is also situated in the old cotton mill.
Attractions
City Centre
- Old townhall and market square
- New Town Hall
- St. Thomas Church
- St. Nicholas Church
- City-Hochhaus Leipzig
- Leipzig University with Augusteum
- Augustusplatz with Opera and Concert Hall
- Auerbach's Cellar
Around City Centre
- Zoological Garden
- Federal Administrative Court of Germany
- Monument to the Battle of the Nations
- Bibliotheca Albertina
- Old Trade Fair
Museums
- Bach-Museum
- Forum of Contemporary History
- Schillerhouse
- Leipzig Panometer
- Museum in der Runden Ecke ("Museum in the Round Corner", about State Security of the GDR)
Find more information here: Leipzig Tourism, Tripadvisor and Wikipedia
Nightlife
As a student city, Leipzig offers plenty of nightlife options.
- The most lively area is Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse (in short "Karli") located close to the HTWK campus. Numerous bars and pubs are arranged together with restaurants and shops on both sides of the road all the way from Connewitz in the south to the city centre.
- Inside the central circle prices are slightly higher than in the south, but especially Barfußgäßchen next to the market attracts hundreds of people every day. Another frequented place is Gottschedstrasse opposite St. Thomas Church, from where you can easily reach the currently most vivid area in Leipzig.
- Plagwitz in the west has become one of the most attractive spots in terms of art diversity, lifestyle and atmosphere for students in Leipzig. Plenty of cafés and bars have opened along the Karl-Heine canal and the identically named street. Clara Zetkin park is the perfect place for playing volleyball with friends, barbecuing or just relaxing on the meadow.
Semester ticket
Use your HTWK card as ticket for public transportation: students in Leipzig can use buses, trams and local trains (including city trains) in the whole MDV area (Mitteldeutscher Verkehrsbund).
With the payment of the semester fee you simultaneously finance your semester ticket. An imprint on your HTWK card shows you the validity of the time in which you can use the public transport. Therefore – if you stay more than one semester – do not forget to revalidate your card BEFORE the start of the next semester, given that you payed the semester fee. You will get a new imprint at the foyer of the Lipsius building, just at the entrance to the Mensa Academica.
For further questions like taking your bike or how about disabled students, please check out the page of the Studentenwerk Leipzig.