Halle (Saale), Germany

Marketplace in Halle (Saale), Germany (cc)

Halle Travel Guide

Introduction

Halle, or Saale, formally Halle an der Saale, is notably the home of Germany's oldest chocolate factory, Halloren-Werke, and the birthplace of Baroque composer Georg Frederich Händel. It is, however, a city that has borne the brunt of misfortune after misfortune in the last century: it was bombed to bits in World War II, polluted to the hilt with chemicals and toxins by the Communists over the next 40-plus years, and, to add insult to injury, passed over when Magdeburg became the state capital in 1990. It should therefore come as no surprise that it hasn't made it to the top of any list of tourist destinations. Still, it does have the distinction of being the largest city in the German State of Saxony-Anhalt.

Location

Halle is located in eastern Germany, in the southern part of Saxony-Anhalt, just 25 miles (40 km) from Leipzig.

How to Get There

Sightseeing

Neighborhoods

How to Get Around

Where to Stay

Where to Eat

Where to Party

Essential Information

Nearby Destinations

How to Get There

Sightseeing

Halle is an historic city with relics from its past still there, albeit few. It has a lovely marketplace, for one, centered around the 15th-century Roter Turm (Red Tower) and Marienkirche; a 300-year-old University dedicated to church reformer Martin Luther; the 16th-century Händel-Haus, birthplace of the composer Georg Frederich Händel and now a repository of historical musical instruments; the 10th-century Giebichenstein Castle, perched on a hill above the Saale just north of the city center; and a steepleless cathedral that dates from the 13th century. The Halloren Schokoladenmuseum (Halloren Chocolate Museum) is worth visiting too.

Main Neighborhoods