Forum of Contemporary History Leipzig

The Zeitgeschichtliches Forum Leipzig (Forum of Contemporary History) is a free museum in the heart of Leipzig that tells the story of dictatorship and democracy in East Germany after 1945. Located on Grimmaische Strasse between the Market Square and Augustusplatz, it explores everyday life in the GDR, the Peaceful Revolution of 1989 that began on Leipzig's streets, and life in reunified Germany. If you want to understand how the Berlin Wall came down, this is one of the best places to start.

About the museum

The Forum belongs to the federal Foundation House of the History of the Federal Republic of Germany, which also runs the history museum in Bonn. It opened on October 9, 1999, exactly ten years after the decisive mass demonstration in Leipzig, when some 70,000 people marched peacefully and the GDR regime did not intervene. Around 3.7 million visitors have come since.

At the entrance stands Wolfgang Mattheuer's bronze sculpture "The Century Step" (Der Jahrhundertschritt), a torn figure striding forward with one arm raised in a Nazi salute and the other hand clenched in a fist, a powerful symbol of Germany's 20th century.

What to see

The permanent exhibition "Our History. Dictatorship and Democracy after 1945" was completely redesigned in 2018. It covers about 2,000 square meters with around 2,000 objects, photos and films plus eyewitness interviews, moving from the postwar years through life in the GDR to the revolution of 1989 and German unity. Look for artifacts from fall 1989, such as a video camera with a tape labeled "Demo Leipzig 9.10.89".

Temporary exhibitions in fall 2026: Platte, on life in East German prefab housing estates (through January 17, 2027), and Übern Zaun, about gardens and people (through January 10, 2027).

Opening hours and admission

As of October 2026, per the official website:

• Tuesday to Sunday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., closed Mondays.
• Closed December 24 and 31, 2026; open December 26 and January 1.
• Admission is free.

A free online audio guide is available in English, German, French and Spanish. Allow about two hours. Large bags and winter coats go in free lockers.

How to get there

Leipzig is about 1 hour 15 minutes from Berlin by ICE and around an hour from Dresden. From Leipzig Hauptbahnhof, walk about 10 minutes through the Old Town, or take any S-Bahn line (S1–S5X) through the City Tunnel to Markt, about 50 meters from the entrance. Regional and S-Bahn trains are covered by the Deutschlandticket. The entrance is step-free.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, it is one of the top things to do in Leipzig, especially for visitors interested in the Cold War and German reunification. Combine it with a walk to St. Nicholas Church, where the peace prayers that sparked the Monday demonstrations were held, the Old Town Hall on the Market Square, Mädler Passage with Auerbachs Keller, and the "Runde Ecke" memorial museum in the former Stasi headquarters.