Lipsk

Lipsk, known in German as Leipzig, is a city in eastern Germany and the largest city in the state of Saxony by population. It lies at the confluence of the White Elster and the Pleiße rivers, about 160 kilometers southwest of Berlin. In several languages, including Polish, the city is referred to as Lipsk.

The city has roots dating to the early Middle Ages and is first mentioned in historical records in the 10th century. It grew as a commercial center and received town rights in the 12th century. The Leipzig Trade Fair, one of the oldest in the world, began in the medieval period and remains a major events venue. The University of Leipzig, founded in 1409, is among the oldest universities in Europe and has contributed to the city’s intellectual life for centuries. The St. Thomas Church and the nearby St. Nicholas Church have been influential in music and religious life; the composer Johann Sebastian Bach worked at the Thomanerchor and the Thomaskirche for many years.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, Leipzig developed as an important railway and industrial hub. In 1989, the city became a focal point of peaceful protests that helped accelerate German reunification. Since the reunification, Leipzig has diversified its economy into services, logistics, publishing and media, life sciences, and manufacturing. It remains a major transportation node in eastern Germany, with a large railway station and an international airport at nearby Halle/Leipzig.

Today the city is known for its cultural institutions, universities, and a growing arts and startup scene. It has a population of roughly six hundred thousand residents, with a broader metropolitan area that encompasses several surrounding communities.