well I like him

Some graffiti brings a smile, ....

so elegant!

Ok its a wedding coach on display to catch business but its sooo elegant even without a pair of white horses.

Grassi Museum

This is a temporary display of sculptures in front of and within the grounds of this museum.

stumbling stone

For some time now "Stolperstein" like this have been appearing set into the pavements in front of many houses. They tell us who used to live there and how they left and died. There is an organisation that arranges for the brass plaques to be fixed to remind us of the many persecuted people, jews, gypsies,homosexuals,Jehovah's Witnesses, euthanasia and political victims of the Nazi Madness.

Town plan

This old map on the tunnel hoarding shows the city centre. The fortifications were removed and green areas planted. Gradually the circular road round the centre is dominating the greenery so that its not so easy to enjoy. The centre is however gradually becoming traffic free, which is very pleasant.

david

No crowds here.

Art on the walls

Everywhere you go in Leipzig you can look up and see expensive artwork on the side of normal blocks of flats. I am amazed that people were so rich that they could afford it, and then I remember that it's nearly all been renovated in the last 20 years and that the skills and the money to pay for it still exist.

Schrebergarten

In Germany there are huge numbers of "kleingarten" or small gardens. Unlike allotment gardens one is allowed, or almost expected to have a little house on it. These are a bit run-down but therefore have more charm. They are natuarally not so fine in winter but easier to see and photo. Many people like to overnight in them which is actually not allowed anymore but.....
Some associations have many strictly enforced rules, but others like this one are more relaxed.
The gardens are named after a Herr Schreber who pushed the idea of fresh air and exercise.

my little Paris

Goethe was so kind as to say that Leipzig was his little Paris. At that time it was really small and the huge building programme of the 1870-1910 period wasn't "even a spark in a window-display".
However this house on the corner of Südplatz really reminds me of the big Paris.

Sorry no post yesterday (computer-free day)

church on a cliff

When the church was built the surrounding ground was flat and underneath was brown coal. In this area there are a great many huge holes that were excavated to get at the lignite. Whole villages were (and still are being) removed. The holes are slowly being allowed to fill with water and a lake landscape with all the recreation possibilities is being created.
This is in Beucha a few kilometers from Leipzig.

Contemporary History Museum

For many vistitors "nOSTalgie" or nostalgic interest in East Germany can be sated in this museum. Also interesting for kids, it is a well organised exhibition of the history and consequences of the post-war years. Also worth a visit (but not photogenic) is the old Stasi HQ the so called "Runde Ecke" which houses a museum of the darker side of this period.

old stairs

As you can see this old stairway has been incorporated in a very functional block of flats. There is a model railways shop in the ground floor of the house. It's just round the corner from St Thomas' church, whose tower is just visible in the photo. At present access is hindered by a building site for the neibouring house.

what's this?

The zoo carpark is covered with bamboo! The natural colour is gentle on the eye, one hardly notices it.

oh dear

This award-winning building is so hideous that I dare not show it in its full glory. It's our Art Museum and since the photo was taken the scaffolding has been hung with translucent glass so that it looks even worse.

Schiller's house

A very small old house wher Schiller lived for a while and where he wrote the words to "Ode to Joy" the European Anthem.

chimney sweep

The Schornsteinfeger bring good luck here. All the older roofs have small ladders and gangways to give easy access to the top of the chimney pot.

Göhliser Schlösschen

On the tour (see yesterday) one of the treasures to see is this small palace. Its not Versailles but is worth seeing. Unfortunately entry is only possible if you visit one of the musical evenings that take place irregularily.

London bus?

A local company offer guided bus trips in the town. They use a whole range of old-timer buses from Paris, Switzerland and London. At least that's what the logo on the bus tells me, but I don't remember this model in the Smoke. I think rather of Birmingham.

conservation??

These stone friezes were once on the facade of one of our department stores. During the renovation they disappeared from view, but I recently located them in the underground carpark entrance. They show everyday scenes at bit à la Breugel. I always found them refreshingly different but obviously those responsible for "conservation" and rebuilding were unable to rise to the challenge of finding a worthy place for them.

New Townhall

Despite its appearance this was built in 1905. You can visit the tower.

pawnbroker

This imposing building was built just before the First World War as the official municipal pawnbroker, now it's home to the tax office.

mannikin (no)pis

This little chap is alongside a very ordinary block of flats not far from the centre. I don't think he is or was connected to the water supply. Shame really.

water pump

There are a number of water pumps in Leipzig. Some are almost rusted away through disuse and neglect, but they remain part of the street scenery because of their "conservation" value. Many have been restored and like this one still work. You can see the handle is kept shiny by kids who love to try them out.

Serenity

The petals in her lap are always fresh.

porsche

The factory makes a very interesting visit, but you have to book way in advance.

darwin

Is this our future? Sorry about the quality it was taken on an (old) mobile in Wurzen near Leipzig

skating rink

For the next couple of weeks we have a skating rink for anyone who hasn't had enough of winter. Its in Augustusplatz.
In the background is the new universityn building which is coming on well. It's rather controversal because there once was a church where it stands and some want a new church and others don't. At present it's planned to be used as an assembly hall for the uni. Of course it may also be used for religious purposes.
The old church was wilfully destroyed on 30th May 1968, on the orders of W.Ulbricht the leader of the DDR at thta time.

hedge

so who cares about conformity!

Diamonds

or glass?