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St. Thomas Church

is a Lutheran church in Leipzig, Germany.It is most famous as the place where Johann Sebastian Bach worked as a cantor, and where his remains currently lie.There has been a church at the current site of the Thomaskirche since the 12th century. Between 1212 and 1222 the preceding church became the new St. Thomas Monastery of the Augustinian order.In 1217, The Minnesinger, or troubador (see Minnesang), Heinrich von Morungen bequeathed to the church a relic of St. Thomas as he entered the order of canons after a trip to India. After several reconstructions (remains of an earlier Romanesque church were found during archaeological excavations), the current building, an example of late Gothic architecture, was consecrated by Thilo of Trotha, the Bishop of Merseburg, on April 10, 1496. The reformer Martin Luther preached here on Pentecost Sunday in 1539. Today, it is a Lutheran church.

Monument to the Battle of the Nations

is a monument in Leipzig, Germany, to the Battle of Leipzig of 1813, also known as the Battle of the Nations. Paid for mostly by donations and by the city of Leipzig, it was completed in 1913 for the 100th anniversary of the battle, with a cost of 6,000,000 Goldmark.The monument commemorates Napoleon's defeat at Leipzig, a crucial step towards the end of hostilities, which was, in essence, a victory for the German people.There were Germans fighting on both sides, as Napoleon's troops due to mandatory conscription included Germans from the French-occupied left bank of the Rhine as well as from the Confederation of the Rhine.The structure is 91 metres tall, making it the tallest monument in Europe. It contains over 500 steps to a viewing platform at the top, from which there are spectacular views across the city and its environs.The structure makes extensive use of concrete, although the facings are of granite.The monument is widely regarded as one of the best examples of Wilhelmine architecture.It is said to stand on the spot of the bloodiest fighting, where Napoleon saw his army destroyed.

Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra

is the oldest symphony orchestra in the world. It is named after the concert hall in which it is based, the Gewandhaus in Leipzig, Germany.Later principal conductors included Arthur Nikisch, Wilhelm Furtwangler, Bruno Walter, and Vaclav Neumann.From 1970 to 1996, Kurt Masur was Gewandhauskapellmeister, and he and the orchestra made a number of recordings for the Philips label. From 1998 to 2005, Herbert Blomstedt held the same position, and they in turn made several recordings for the Decca label.In 2005, Riccardo Chailly took over as both Gewandhauskapellmeister and music director of the Leipzig Opera.They have released recordings on the Decca label of Felix Mendelssohn, Johannes Brahms, and the Robert Schumann symphonies in the re-orchestrations by Gustav Mahler.

Arena Leipzig

is an indoor sporting arena located in Leipzig, Germany.The capacity of the arena is 8,000 people.It is currently the home venue of HC Leipzig a german handball team.Norwegian band a-ha played there during their Ending on a High Note Tour on October 22, 2010.

Auerbachs Keller

is the best known and second oldest restaurant in Leipzig.It was described in Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's play Faust I, as the first place Mephistopheles takes Faust on their travels.The restaurant owes much of its fame to Goethe, who frequented Auerbach's Cellar as a student and called it his favorite wine bar.According to legend, the alchemist Dr. Johann Georg Faust once rode a wine barrel from the cellar to the street at Auerbach's Cellar, something he could have accomplished only with the help of the Devil.This legend is most likely what led Goethe to add the scene in Auerbach's Cellar to his play Faust I.

Leipzig Zoological Garden

was opened in Leipzig, Germany on June 9, 1878.It was taken over by the city of Leipzig in 1920 after World War I and now covers about 225,000 m2 and contains more than 2,000 animals of 500 different species.The zoo is internationally noted for its large carnivore exhibit.It has bred more than 2,000 lions, 250 rare Siberian tigers, and other carnivores like bears.

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