Permanent Exhibition
Leipzig original
Part I From medieval times until the Battle of Leipzig
The Altes Rathaus (old town hall) deserves to be called one of merchant city’s landmarks. The Renaissance building with its baroque tower dominates the Marktplatz. It is appropriate for the Stadtgeschichtliches Museum to tell Leipzig’s never-ending story in a building in which the fate of the city famous for its trade fairs was decided for centuries. The fact that the building is in the very centre of the city only makes the challenge more interesting. From the remains of old prison cells in the cellar, via the historical rooms on the main floor, up to the tower sphere and the weather vane, the building is a compendium of the history of the city and itself the most valuable part of the museum.
The first part of the new permanent exhibition “From medieval times to the Battle of Leipzig” has been arranged deliberately to match the historical rooms surrounding the ballroom and the council chamber on the main floor. With its approximately 1200 exhibits, it enables the visitors to experience the history of the city through its ups and downs. The ballroom impresses visitors with its unique portrait gallery of town magistrates from the 17th until the 19th century as well as the large portraits of sovereigns from the Wettin dynasty, among them the famous Electors of Saxony Augustus the Strong and Moritz. A model of the city of Leipzig measuring approximately 20 square meters and dating from 1823 conveys a three-dimensional image of the city before the fundamental changes made in the 19th and 20th century. In the old council chamber, which is considered the most beautiful room in Leipzig, parts of the original furnishing/interior decoration and silverware are on display, and it was here that Johann Sebastian Bach signed his employment contract as Cantor at St. Thomas School and Director of Music in 1723. For visitors more interested in music, the world-famous portrait of the composer and some other selected items are collected in an adjoining room. In addition to the glory days of the baroque period, the museum also depicts war and peace in Leipzig with sieges and sackings as well as the sufferings of the inhabitants. In the historical vaults with their prison cells, old torture instruments and execution devices show how criminal law used to be applied.
The second part of the permanent exhibition from the 19th to the 21st century is planned to be established on the second floor of the Altes Rathaus. The development of Leipzig will be presented in eight historical periods with so-called “identity islands” providing more detailed information on events that have shaped the city. A special part of the exhibition is dedicated to Augustusplatz, presenting the square as the scene of numerous momentous events. |
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