Market (Leipzig)

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Map of the city center (1913)
Bird's eye view, 1712

The market (from 1950 to 1954 Platz des Friedens ) is a rectangular square about one hectare in size in the center of Leipzig . It is considered the center of the city.

history

Trade fairs on the market around 1800

The first marketplace of the Slavic settlement Lipsk was further north at the intersection of Via Regia and Via Imperii in the area of ​​today's Richard-Wagner-Platz . After the incorporation of Leipzig into the German Reich, it was moved to its current location. From then on it formed the center of public life. This is where a large part of the Leipzig trade fair's turnover took place before it was converted into a model trade fair in the late 19th century and a separate presentation room was created with the old trade fair grounds.

Before 1500, a total of twelve jousting games took place on the market as cultural highlights . The first town houses were built in the 16th century, such as Hommels Hof, Baarmanns Hof and Eckoldsche Haus, where the lawyer and philosopher Christian Thomasius was born in 1655 . Imposing baroque buildings were the still existing royal house, the Jöchersche Haus (built 1707), Stieglitzens Hof (built 1733), Aeckerleins Hof (built 1714) and Kochs Hof (built 1735).

The market was also a place of justice. According to the city council's acts, executions had been carried out in the market since 1525 . The last execution took place in the city in 1824, she was on the wig maker Johann Christian Woyzeck enforced who had stabbed his lover out of jealousy.

Development

Old town hall and access to the stopping point of the city tunnel

To the east, the market is lined with the arcades of the Old Town Hall from 1556. It is the oldest surviving structure on the square. The historical buildings on the north side were rebuilt after the war destruction, including the old scale . In addition to the surviving buildings of the Königshaus and Barthels Hof , the south side and the southern section of the west flank are dominated by new buildings and conversions made in recent years, which are intended to remind of the historic building silhouettes.

Between 1925 and 2005, the underground exhibition center was located under the square . After its demolition, a stopping point for the city ​​tunnel was built in its place . The tunnel was officially opened on December 14, 2013, and scheduled operations began on December 15, 2013.

From 1581 the golden fountain in the renaissance style was located in the northeast corner , which was demolished in 1826. The Victory Monument was in the northern half of the square from 1888. It was designed by Rudolf Siemering and was reminiscent of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/71. It survived the Second World War , but not the rejection of Wilhelmine patriotism by the new rulers after the defeat. It was removed on December 12, 1946 by resolution of the SED-led city council.

use

The Leipzig Christmas Market takes place every year on the market square. It is one of the most traditional in Germany and one of the most beautiful in Europe. The weekly markets, the Easter market with the medieval market and the Classic Open are also held here.

literature

Historical views

Web links

Commons : Market  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Coordinates: 51 ° 20 ′ 25.4 ″  N , 12 ° 22 ′ 29 ″  E