Photos: August Geyler, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Johann Friedrich Bause / After Johann Sebastian Bach, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain Frank Vincentz, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo credits
Photos: August Geyler, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Johann Friedrich Bause / After Johann Sebastian Bach, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain Frank Vincentz, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Nikolaikirche and the Monday demonstrations of 1989
Your local guide
Nadine Fischer
View profile
Highlights
- A church behind a peaceful revolution
- Monday prayers that grew into history
- The night thousands gathered outside
- A column marking 1989
- East Germany's ending, told from one church
About this tour
This session looks at Nikolaikirche and the square outside it, where Monday prayer meetings for peace grew through 1989 into the demonstrations that helped end East German rule. You see the church interior where the gatherings began, then the square outside marking the night thousands gathered peacefully. The session ends at the column placed there to remember that history.
We start with a short sound check inside the church, since the space carries an echo. I keep a steady pace between the two stops and take questions about the events of 1989 as we go. Afterwards I send a short note on the timeline and further reading.
This suits anyone interested in twentieth-century history and how peaceful protest actually unfolded here. It also pairs well with a session at the Runde Ecke museum for the fuller picture.
Included
- Live video walk with a local guide
- Questions to your guide all the way
- A short list of places to visit later
Not included
- Internet connection
- Travel to the city
Itinerary
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Welcome and sound check 5 min
The guide joins the video call, checks the picture and sound with you, and gives you a quick sense of Leipzig before heading out.
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Nikolaikirche nave 21 min
The camera takes in the church interior, and I explain how its Monday prayer meetings for peace grew through 1989 into the demonstrations that helped end East German rule.
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Nikolaikirchhof outside 21 min
We step outside to the square where thousands gathered on the evening of 9 October 1989, and I point out the column outside marking the church's role in that night.
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Your questions 9 min
Time to ask anything about Leipzig: prices, safety, food, or whatever you are curious about.
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A short list to keep 4 min
Before you go, the guide sums up with a few things worth remembering: a dish to try: Eierschecke (layered custard cake) and Plagwitz, worth a slower look.
Good to know
- A stable wifi or mobile connection makes the picture smoother than a shaky one.
- Any phone, tablet or laptop with a camera works. You watch, the guide does the walking.
- Times are shown in Berlin time, so check the time where you are before you book.
- The session is not recorded, and recording it yourself is not allowed. Feel free to take your own notes.
- Ask questions any time, out loud or in the chat. The guide will pause to answer.
- Sessions run in small groups, up to 9 people, so there is room for everyone to ask something.
Questions about this tour
What will the session cover?
The guide walks through Leipzig, showing you Nikolaikirche nave and Nikolaikirchhof outside live on camera, plus whatever else you would like to see.
What happens if my connection drops?
Rejoin with the same link within a few minutes and the guide will catch you up on anything you missed.
Can I ask the guide questions during the session, or is it a fixed script?
Anything, any time. Sessions leave room for your own questions throughout, not just at the end.
Do I need to know the history already?
No background needed. The guide explains everything as it comes up.
How it works
- You get one join link after booking.
- Join from any device: phone, tablet or laptop.
- We meet on Google Meet; the link comes with your booking. I walk Leipzig live with my phone.
Times shown in Berlin time (CET)
Cancellation
Flexible
- Cancel up to 24 hours before the start: full refund.
- Cancel less than 24 hours before the start, or no-show: no refund.
- If the guide cancels or the date does not reach its minimum group: full refund.
- Cancel in My Account → Bookings; the refund is calculated from the start time in the tour's local time.
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Next: Mon 26 Oct · 9 seats left From 24,00 €
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