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Hotels near Thomaskirche Leipzig (103 results)
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Thomaskirche Leipzig: a home to religion and music
St. Thomas Church, also known as Thomaskirche, is one of the two biggest houses of worship in the center of Leipzig. With its rich history dating back to the XIII century, St. Thomas Church is one of Leipzig’s highlights, annually visited by tens of thousands of tourists, coming here to marvel at its magnificent Gothic interior, to take part in the church services, and to listen to the world-famous motets performed by St. Thomas Boys Choir. Many of them come to visit the place where one of the greatest German composers, J.S. Bach lived and worked until his death, and where his remains found their peace. Today, it is a center of organ music in Germany, where numerous concerts, festivals, and events are being held throughout the year.
J.S. Bach’s legacy
Thomaskirche gained its world fame thanks to J.S. Bach, who worked here for 27 years (in 1723-1750) as Music Director and Cantor of Thomanerchor, and whose life was closely connected with Leipzig and its church.
He composed most of his famous musical works here. His influence on St. Thomas Boys Choir, which is the oldest cultural establishment of Leipzig with a rich 800-year tradition, cannot be underestimated.
In 1950, 200 years after Bach’s death, his remains were transferred to St. Thomas Church. Today, Bach’s tomb can be found in the church’s sanctuary, under the bronze epitaph.
A statue of Bach was dedicated in 1908 and created by Leipzig sculptor Carl Seffner. It stands in the churchyard, in front of the main entrance.
The style of St.Thomas Church and the Bell Tower climbing tours
This Church is an example of Late Gothic architecture. It stood almost unchanged for centuries. In the course of the first major restoration works in the XIX century, most of its Baroque features were replaced, and the building gained its current Neo-Gothic appearance.
The Bell Tower has the steepest roof in Germany and was initially built in the XVI century. It was badly damaged in 1943 as a result of Allied forces’ bombings of Leipzig, but the renovation was swiftly undertaken with the aid of charity organizations.
The Church Tower is 68 meters high and has a viewing platform, where anyone can enjoy breathtaking views of the city of Leipzig. The Tower climbing tours are available from April to the end of November. You can find detailed information regarding the schedule and fees in the table below.
Interior and organs
While the church’s style is Neo-Gothic, the interior is a mix of Neo-Gothic and Romanesque styles. The altar and baptismal font are Neo-Gothic with its reliefs depicting biblical scenes. The sanctuary contains Bach’s tomb with the memorial plate. The interior of Thomaskirche is also famous for its magnificent colorful sanctuary windows showing scenes from the life of Jesus. In 2009, the church also received a new “Peace Window”.
St. Thomas Church is also a cultural center of Germany and is deemed to be the first place that documented organ music during the church services.
The church has two organs. One of them is the so-called “Sauer Organ”, built in the XIX century. This organ was found “unsuitable” for Bach’s music, so another organ, the so-called “Bach Organ” was built in 2000. This instrument resembles the sound quality of the organs from Bach’s time and is used for playing Bach’s music.
The church motets
Thomaskirche is a functioning church, so you can attend its regular services that take place here on Sundays and holidays twice a day. Children are only allowed to participate if accompanied by an adult. As for the visitors with special needs, there is wheelchair access and designated places for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
St. Thomas Church motets are performed by the famous St. Thomas Boys Choir and are mainly vocal and instrumental compositions with sacred texts. The motets are performed on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Hundreds of guests are usually drawn by the Christmas and the New Year’s Eve motets. Note that there are no motets on Good Friday and during Summer Holidays in Saxony.
Guided tours
The church is open daily from 12 p.m. till 4 p.m. Visits and guided tours are allowed when worship services and motets aren’t being held.
Opening hours
The church is open daily from 9 a.m. till 6 p.m. Visits and guided tours are allowed when worship services and motets aren’t being held.
Thomaskirche services and prices
Service |
Details |
Admission fees |
| Church services | Sundays and holidays. Morning liturgy (9:30 a.m.) and Evening liturgy (9 p.m.). | Admission is free. |
| Motets | Fridays (6 p.m.), Saturdays, and Sundays (3 p.m., with Bach’s cantata performance). | 2 Euro, paid at the entrance. For the children under 12, students, and Leipzig-pass holders the admission is free. |
| Guided tours | During the church’s opening hours, except the time when worship services and motets proceed. | 1 Euro, paid at the Thomas Shop. |
| Bell Tower climbing tours | From April to the end of November. Saturdays: 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 4:30 p.m. Sundays: 3 p.m. | 2 Euro. Paid at the Thomas Shop. For children under 12 admission is free. |
St. Thomas Church: the program of events 2020
The church regularly hosts various concerts and musical festivals, such as BachFest Leipzig Festival or Bach Zyklen/Cycles.
Leipzig Thomaskirche is truly one of the centers of cultural and musical life of Saxony and Germany, with the Bach’s Passions concerts and Christmas Oratorio, which draw the attention of thousands of visitors every year.
The program 2020 includes the following events:
Date |
Event |
Tickets prices (depending on the seat) |
| 24 December | Christmas Organ Concert with the candlelight. 9 p.m. | Normal price: 13 Euro. Reduced price*: 10 Euro / 5 Euro (children under 18). Free choice of seat. |
| 1 January | New Year’s Organ Concert. Bach’s works. 9 p.m. | Normal price: 19 Euro. Reduced price*: 14 Euro. |
| 21 March | Concert to J.S.Bach’s 333rd birthday anniversary. | Admission is free. |
| 1 April | Easter Concert. J.S.Bach organ music. | Admission is free. |
| 31 May | Pentecost Holiday Concert with Oratorium. | Normal price: 26 Euro / 20 Euro / 16 Euro. Reduced price: 12 Euro / 10 Euro / 8 Euro. |
| 11 June | BachFest Leipzig Opening Concert: Bach’s music works. 5 p.m. | Normal price: 105 Euro, 80 Euro, 52 Euro, and 21 Euro. Reduced price*: 89 Euro, 67 Euro, 42 Euro, and 16 Euro. |
| 11 June | BachFest Leipzig Opening Concert: J.S.Bach’s “St. John’s Passions” (with ballet). 7:30 p.m. | Ticket prices range from 18 Euro to 82 Euro. |
| 11-16 June | “Bach Unterwegs” Concerts. | 72 Euro. |
| 11, 12 June | “Kantaten-Ring” Concerts: several concerts per day. 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. | Normal price: 82 Euro, 65 Euro, 42 Euro, and 21 Euro. Reduced price*: 72 Euro, 55 Euro, 36 Euro, and 16 Euro. |
| 13, 14 June | Piano Concerts: Bach’s music works. 8 p.m. | Normal price: 17 Euro. Reduced price*: 12 Euro. |
| 16 June | “Passion 4” Concert: Bach’s organ music works. 8 p.m. | Normal price: 105 Euro, 80 Euro, 52 Euro, and 21 Euro. Reduced price*: 89 Euro, 67 Euro, 42 Euro, and 16 Euro. |
| 21 June | BachFest Leipzig Closing Concert. Organ music. 6 p.m. | Normal price: 105 Euro, 80 Euro, 52 Euro, and 21 Euro. Reduced price*: 89 Euro, 67 Euro, 42 Euro, and 16 Euro. |
| 31 October | Concert to the Reformation Day. | Normal price: 25 Euro, 20 Euro, and 15 Euro. Reduced price*: 20 Euro, 15 Euro, and 5 Euro. |
| 4 November | Concert in memory of the anniversary of Mendelssohn's death. | Normal price: 12 Euro. Reduced price: 6 Euro (for children under 14). |
*Reduced prices: for children, students, unemployed and disabled persons.
Tickets to the concerts and events can be purchased at Thomas Shop or at any ticket sales office. Before booking your tickets for the concerts and events, make yourself familiar with the St. Thomas Church seating plan:
Thomas Shop is located next to the church and offers you a variety of CDs, DVDs, postcards, gifts and souvenirs, textiles, jewelry etc. There is also a Thomaskirche bookstore, where you can buy various books about the region, Leipzig, the church and local musical and cultural traditions.
For those of you who are also interested in local brewery and food traditions, there is a nice and cozy brewery called Thomaskirche Brauhaus. It can be found right in front of the church and serves both traditional and modern cuisine, while the brewery offers a huge variety of regional, locally brewed and seasonal beers at affordable prices.
Location of St. Thomas Church and parking
Thomaskirche is located in the historical center of Leipzig, close to the Market Square, Bach Museum, and Madler Passage. You can easily get here using public transport. However, if you decide to come by car, you can park your vehicle at the huge QPark near the Market Gallery (Thomasgasse 2).
QPark is open daily, from 6 a.m. till 11 p.m. You can leave the parking at any time.
Parking fees
| First 60 minutes | 2,20 Euro |
| Maximum daily charge | 16 Euro |
Accommodation tips
If you are looking for a nice and comfortable hotel not far from St. Thomas Church, HotelFriend can recommend you Best Western Hotel Leipzig City Center. It’s a stylish 3-star hotel located in the heart of the city that offers many services at a reasonable price.
Hotel Markgraf Leipzig can be your best choice if you travel to Leipzig with your family, as it offers spacious rooms and many special deals for the families as well.
Book a room and order any services you like online via the HotelFriend mobile app. Enjoy your stay in Leipzig and let us take on the planning!
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