Ever wondered where Leipzig’s oldest village is? That’s Gundorf, right here. Gundorf boasts a history stretching back over 1000 years. It is considered the oldest place in Leipzig’s west.
Let’s step back in time. Gundorf’s first documented mention dates back to 974. Otto II gifted it to Bishop Giselher of Merseburg. Some believe the name comes from a monk named Gundo. He supposedly settled here.
Gundorf has seen many changes. In 1269, the Petri Monastery in Merseburg gained rights here. They could collect taxes and administer justice.
Take a look around. Once, Gundorf was its own municipality. That changed in 1934 when it joined Bohlitz-Ehrenberg. Since 1999, it’s been a district of Leipzig.
Let’s talk about the Kirche Gundorf, the church. It likely dates back to the 12th century. It was built with fieldstones and mortar. The pulpit dates from 1626. The baptismal font appeared in 1720. The galleries were added during a 1902 renovation. The church bells, the oldest cast in 1450, were melted down during World War II. Three new bells were consecrated in 1959. Fun fact: the church served as a police station in an episode of the TV show “Tatort”.
Now, imagine Gundorf’s Rittergut, the manor. In 1661, J. Fritzsche acquired the village. He already owned Gut Scherbitz. The Gundorf monastery estate became known as Neuscherbitz. Johann Ernst Kregel von Sternbach built the manor house in 1720. Peter Joseph Lenné designed the adjacent park. Albin Ackermann, a Leipzig businessman, bought the castle and estate in 1881. His monogram “AA” adorns the main entrance doors of the castle today. In 1938, his son sold Rittergut Gundorf to the city of Leipzig for 2.6 million Reichsmark. Today, a riding stable operates on the grounds.
Consider Schlobachs Hof. After the Schlobach brickyard closed in 1919, Schlobachs Hof was built. From 1936, the estate served as a practical farm for the University of Leipzig for poultry breeding.
Gundorf has always been well-connected. In 1907, the Leipzig Outer Railway connected Gundorf to Leipzig’s tram network. The line 7 still runs to the center.
Don’t miss the Gundorfer Lache. This 2.3-hectare area is a natural monument since 2002. It lies in the middle of the floodplain forest. The Alte Luppe River flows through it. It provides a habitat for various bird and amphibian species.
Gundorf retains its village charm. It remains a testament to its long and varied past. From Otto II to modern-day Leipzig, Gundorf’s story continues.