DE-3335562 Leipzig - boomtown “Hypezig” of eastern Germany

Leipzig is a city in the federal state of Saxony, Germany. It has around 530,000 inhabitants and is the heart of the Central German Metropolitan Region. Leipzig is located about 150 kilometers (93 miles) south of Berlin at the confluence of the White Elster, Pleisse, and Parthe rivers.

Leipzig has been a trade city since the time of the Holy Roman Empire.  At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing.  After World War II, Leipzig became a major urban center within the German Democratic Republic (East Germany), but its cultural and economic importance declined. 

Upper left panel:             ‘Altes Rathaus’ is indicted on the postcard but this building is actually the new Town Hall.

Upper middle panel:        Augustusplatz with the 36-storey City-Hochhaus skyscraper.

Upper right panel:            Riquet-Haus in ruins at the end of the communist era but now restored.

Lower left panel:              The promenade of the Hauptbahnhof (central railway station).

Lower middle panel:        The well-known Church of St Nicholas.

Lower right panel:            The Barthels-Hof is a complex of historic buildings.

Leipzig later played a significant role in instigating the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, through events which took place in and around St. Nicholas Church (lower middle panel in the postcard).

Since the reunification of Germany, Leipzig has undergone significant change with the restoration of some historical buildings, the demolition of others, and the development of a modern transport infrastructure. Leipzig today is an economic centre in Germany and has a prominent opera house and one of the most modern zoos in Europe. Leipzig is nicknamed as the "Boomtown of eastern Germany" or "Hypezig".

This postcard came from Christina (25 July 2014) Postcrossing.
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This second postcard of Leipzig came from Jana (28 November 2018) Postcrossing.  It shows Leipzig at Christmas (Leipzig zur Weihnachtszeit) and features the Christmas Market of Leipzig.

From a travel website about Christmas Markets in Germany:

Nothing says Christmas in Germany quite like the charming, quintessential Christmas markets that decorate the country during this magical time of year.

From traditional handicrafts and quirky ornaments to tasty local delicacies and sweet-scented mulled wine, there’s absolutely nothing you can’t find in a German Christmas market, whether you choose to browse the most popular ones or visit those hidden in some quaint medieval villages.

In addition to festive shopping, Germany’s best Christmas markets offer visitors an enchanting experience that combines culture, entertainment, and holiday cheer in a magical fairy tale-like setting.