GERMANY - Europe by Eurail 2015: Touring Europe by Train - page 229

The main attraction on the old town's market square is the old town hall. It was
built in the record time of nine months in 1556 by Hieronymus Lotter. The building
is one of the oldest Renaissance town halls still standing on German soil. Although
severely damaged by fire during the Allied air raid on December 4, 1943, the build-
ing's facade remains almost unchanged from the 16th century. The city was gov-
erned from here until 1905, when a new town hall was erected in a more spacious
area. Since 1909 the building has been the Museum of History of the City of
Leipzig. Its attractions include the Old Council Chambers and special exhibits.
The new town hall, built between 1899 and 1905 on the foundations of earlier
buildings, will also attract your attention with its 115-meter tower. It houses both the
mayor and the city council.
Within the rim of the old town, the spires of the Church of Saint Nicholas
(Nikolaikirche) and the Church of Saint Thomas (Thomaskirche) stand as sen-
tinels over the scene. The first mention of Saint Nicholas was made in 1017; Saint
Thomas was erected between 1212 and 1222 as the collegiate church of the
Augustinian Choir. Its Late Gothic hall was added at the end of the 15th century.
The stained-glass windows of Saint Thomas, dating from the end of the 19th
century, depict four historical personalities closely associated with Leipzig: Johann
Sebastian Bach, Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Martin Luther, and King Gustav
Adolf II of Sweden. Saint Thomas became world famous from its association with
Johann Sebastian Bach. The composer served as cantor of the church from 1723
to 1750. Since 1950, the remains of the great composer have lain in the church.
For more information about the four-day Leipzig Bach Festival (in June), contact
Bach-Archiv Leipzig, Thomaskirchof 16, PF 101349, D-04013 Leipzig; Tel: 49 341