Markt Area
The Markt (Market Square) is dominated by one of the most beautiful Renaissance edifices in Germany, the Altes Rathaus (Old City Hall), Markt 1. It was built over a record-breaking nine months in 1556 by Mayor Hieronymus Lotter, but required major renovations less than 150 years later. Locals still refer to rushed, below-standards work as a Lotter-job. It was due to be demolished early in the 20th century after the New Town Hall was built but instead was renovated and used for shops and the town museum. Markt is the center of all festivals and is still used on Tuesday and Friday for the farmers’ fresh produce market.
To the south is the magnificent Königshaus (Kings’ House), where the Saxon rulers resided when in town. It was converted into a Baroque house in 1707 and famous guests, in addition to the Saxon rulers, include Czar Peter the Great, Frederick the Great, and Napoleon, who said farewell from the balcony to his Saxon allies after losing the Battle of the Nations. On the opposite end of the square only the façade with sundial remain of the Alte Waage (Old Weigh house). Here items were weighed, tested, and taxed during the fairs.
Leipzig has been an important city in Germany for centuries and it therefore comes as no real surprise that the Stadtgeschichtliches Museum Leipzig (City History Museum), Markt 1, has several interesting displays. The pride of the museum are the several imperial edicts related to the trade fair privileges granted to the city. The term Messe, meaning trade fair in German and several other languages, was first used with reference to the Leipzig fair. As in most city museums, the council silver and other treasures are on display and Leipzig’s is impressive, as befitted a rich city.
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