Insider Tours offers a unique tour through the fascinating East German city of Leipzig. Situated at the crossroads of of Via Regia and Via Empiri „The City of the Linden trees“ (urbs Libzi) became one of the richest cities of Europe during the renaissance, both in terms of wealth and culture. The city of merchants and its wealth attracted artists such as Bach, Goethe, Wagner, Schumann and Schiller and also became one of the centres of the European reformation. In 1989 there was not much left of its old glory; the city reeked from the sour smell of coal fuming out of cities the dilapidated, grey tenement blocks. What had once been one of Europe´s most important trading and cultural centers had been within just a few decades been turned into yet another grey Eastern Block city, collapsing financially under the burden of corrupt bureacracy and a suspect state administration which had long ago lost the faith of its citizens. But the Leipzigers had been arranging peace prayers in the Nikolaikirche ever since the early 80´s, and they finally led to the events of the fall of 1989, culminating in a protest march on the 9th of October, when 70, 000 men, women and children marched out in protest against the regime. One month later the Berlin Wall fell, finalizing the process. Ever since the fall of the wall Leipzig has re-established itself as a fascinating cultural city – the New York Times recently listed one of the cities art institutions, die Spinnerei, as one of the world´s ten most important contemporary art locations. Our tour guide, also an artist, will guide you through Leipzig´s rich historical and cultural heritage, giving you a unique insight into the resurrection of Leipzig.

Highlights of the tour:

the Nikolaikirche: The church became the epicenter of the east german resistance against the communist regime through the Peace Prayers that took place here on every Monday throughout the 80´s. Eventually they led to the decisive events of the fall of 1989, most importantly to the demonstration of the 9th of October when 70 000 Leipzig citizens marched from the church to the main train station, defying the stasi and the police forces.


Bundesverwaltungsgericht: Germany´s supreme court between 1895 – 1945. The showcase of the Reichstag fire process against Marinus van der Lubbe and others in 1933, which culminated in a famous duel of words between the Bulgarian communist Georgi Dimitroff and Hermann Göring. The process is known as a major setback for the Nazis as they were forced on the defence by a shadow court arranged in London.

Völkerschlachtdenkmal, Europe´s biggest memorial was built in 1913 to commemorate the Battle of Leipzig, also known as the „Battle of the Nations“, one of Napoleon´s most decisive defeats. The battle involved more than 500,000 soldiers, making it the largest battle in Europe before World War I. The memorial itself is an astonishing and enormous structure filled with 9 metrer sculptures which are unique in their design.

Auerbachs Keller, an ancient bar in which the teenage Goethe drank away his student days before incorporating the place into his most well-known drama „Faust“

The city centre; Alte Börse, Naschmarkt and die Messe, which made Leipzig into one of the most important trading cities in Europe with exclusive trading rights granted by Kaiser Maximilian I in 1507. This is where the Tsars, Kaisers and Kings of Europe used to go shopping.

Thomaskirche: Johann Sebastian Bach worked as a cantor here for 27 years of his life and is also buried here. The church is very well known for its choir and its gothic architecture. It dates all the way back to 1222 and arranges several concerts a week.

ALTERNATIVE TOUR LOCATIONS (which can be visited if the guest has a special interest in arts or Jewish history)

The Leipzig art scene: Spinnerei (recently mentioned in the New York Times as one of the world´s ten most important art places, the location where Neo Rauch had his studio in the early 90´s before becoming the darling of German painting), Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst (the art school), Lindenau (several up and coming galleries in this former industrial area), Museum der Bildenden Künste, Grassimuseum, etc. Could possibly arrange studio visits..

Grafikerviertel. The center of bookmaking in Germany up until World War 2. It was heavily bombed by the Allieds during the war, as they wanted to destroy Nazi Germany´s propaganda machine. Leipzig has a long tradition in book making, dating all the way back to the 16th century and also hosts one of Europe´s most important book fairs on a yearly basis.

Jüdisches Viertel. A beautiful residential area of Leipzig filled with lush villas in Jugendstil belonging to the Jewish merchants.

Schiller's residence in Gohlis, where he wrote „Ode an die Freude“ ... A beautiful small castle lies nearby, as does Leipzig´s enormous football stadium (The city does not have a proper team yet, though Red Bull has bought themselves a lower league squad in the hope of one day making it to the Bundesliga. Five games were played here during the world championships in 2006)

Classical music; aside from Bach, also Mendelsohn-Bartholdy, Wagner and Schumann were active in Leipzig. There´s also a great museum dedicated to the musical heritage of Leipzig, not to mention a well-renowned orchestra- and an opera house.

Make your enquiry or request under the private tours page.