Morning train to Leipzig!
I am so fortunate to have been
given the opportunity to visit Leipzig with two other classes today. A professor from Universität Leipzig, and
friend of Dr. Northcutt, gave us a brief tour of the city and of the
university’s new building that houses the 2nd oldest university in
Germany. Founded in 1409. Leipzig University
has some famous alumni, including writer Goethe, philosopher Nietzsche,
composer Wagner and a more recent alum, Chancellor Angela Merkel.
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| Leipzig University |
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| Modern Entrance to historic Leipzig University |
Leipzig is a city with old areas that looks as
if they came directly out of a Bavarian storybook and they stand in striking
contrast to the surrounding modern buildings. I enjoyed a sense of openness and leisure as
I walked through the pedestrian-friendly center and past Nikolaikirche (St. Nicholas
Church). This church gained fame for the
1989 peaceful revolt against communist rule known as Monday
Demonstrations. The church was founded
in the 12th century and expanded a few centuries later. A pillar like the ones found inside the
church is in the nearby square.
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| Nikolaikirche |
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| Duplicate of Nikolaikirche Piller |
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| Glorious Interior of Nikolaikirche |
Our group walked through Mädler-Passage
where, according to our guide, horses would draw carts full of merchandise to
deliver to business in this arcade. Now
this historic passage is full of high-end stores. Down one section of the passage is a statue
of Mephisto and Faust.
The highlight of my day was
visiting Thomaskirche (St. Thomas Church) where Bach was choirmaster and to where
his remains were relocated because of the destruction to Johanneskirche in
WWII.
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| Thomaskirche |
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| Interior of Thomaskirche |
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| Bach's resting place within Thomaskirche |
Marketing class has a final outing tonight to the top of Berliner Fernsehturm (the Berlin TV Tower) constructed by
the GDR in the late 1960’s. I look forward to a farewell view of Berlin.
