“Luft und Licht” Architects William Lossow and Max Hans Kühne envisioned this for the Alter Bahnhof. This vision still stands today.
Let me tell you about the Alter Bahnhof, a testament to Leipzig’s rich railway history. The facade stretches an impressive 298 meters. This makes it Europe’s largest terminus station. Constructed between 1909 and 1915, the Alter Bahnhof is enclosed with sandstone. It includes two large reception buildings and a long central section.
Picture the grand opening on December 4, 1915. The Saxon-Royal State Railway and the Prussian State Railway jointly inaugurated the Alter Bahnhof. These two competitors literally divided the station. There were two waiting rooms, two dining halls, and two administrations. Until the mid-1990s, there were 26 tracks divided between Saxony and Prussia. This division lasted only five years. In 1920, the German Reichsbahn absorbed both railway companies.
Consider the architecture of the Alter Bahnhof’s transverse platform hall. It measures 270 meters in length and 27 meters in height. This part of the station was almost completely destroyed during World War II bombings. It was rebuilt in the 1950s. During this time, travelers had to wait for their trains without a roof over their heads.
Although not as magical as Platform 9 3/4, track 24 has its charm. It is a museum track within the Alter Bahnhof. It is no longer active. Instead of rushing to catch a train, you can explore historic trains. See a Hamburg class fast railcar from the 1930s. It was one of the world’s fastest trains. Or marvel at the heavy electric locomotive “German Crocodile”. It toured Central Germany from 1957 to 1990.
Leipzig locals remember the DEFA Zeitkino. Until 1992, film buffs flocked here. The “DEFA Zeitkino” opened in 1950 under the east hall of the Alter Bahnhof. It had been used as an air-raid shelter during World War II. The Zeitkino screened short films and features from morning to night. It accommodated 204 visitors. Sadly, the cinema closed in 1992 due to structural issues.
As you enter the Alter Bahnhof through the west entrance, two busts greet you. Friedrich List, a national economist, stands to the left. Friedrich Harkort, an industrialist, stands to the right. Both contributed to the city’s railway development. Friedrich List drafted the initial plans for the first German long-distance railway. It connected Leipzig and Dresden. Friedrich Harkort financially supported the construction. He also promoted the city’s industrialization.
The loveliest bookstore hides within the Alter Bahnhof. It is the Ludwig bookstore in the former Prussian waiting room of Deutsche Bahn. The ambiance sets it apart. Since 2008, visitors have found their favorite books here. Under the historic ornate ceiling and stucco decorations, it’s a tranquil escape. It’s unlike any hurried station bookstore.
Glass ceilings, towering walls, glass elevators, and views of the shopping levels give the Alter Bahnhof a spacious feel. Despite 1,300 trains and 120,000 travelers passing through daily, it remains airy and bright. The Alter Bahnhof stands as a vibrant historical landmark. It blends history, architecture, and modern life.