Bayerischer Bahnhof Leipzig: History

1841: Construction, opening & commissioning

The Bayerische Bahnhof in Leipzig was built between 1841 and 1844 according to designs by the Leipzig architect Eduard Pötzsch and is a work of neo-classical architecture. It was the northern terminus of the Saxon-Bavarian Railway, which began operations on September 18, 1842.

The route at that time ran via Leipzig > Plauen > Hof > Bamberg > Nuremberg (extended to Munich in 1856). When it opened in 1842, it was long regarded as the oldest surviving terminus station in Germany.

Image source: Wikipedia / Buchh. Ernst August Dittrich – Leipzig City History Museum

1883: Connection to the local transport network

On September 7, 1883, the Bayerischer Bahnhof was connected to the local transport network of the city of Leipzig with a streetcar line. Initially there were horse-drawn streetcars until 1897, which were then replaced by modern electric streetcars.

1912: Express trains & special fair trains

From October 1, 1912, fast and express trains ran via the Leipzig main station railroad line > Leipzig-Connewitz to the newly built main station. From then on, the Bayerischer Bahnhof was only used for local and freight traffic and as a stop for special trains that ran on trade fair days.

The station itself had 4 tracks and a 95 m long roof, which stood on 20 twelve-meter high oak pillars. The east and west buildings were almost symmetrical. The western development served as the “departure side” and the eastern development as the “arrival side”.

Image source: Goods station and wholesale market hall connection 1925, Atelier Hermann Walter / wikipedia

1943-1944: Destruction in the 2nd World War

In addition to the main station, the Bavarian station was also partially destroyed by bombing raids on December 4, 1943 and February 20, 1944. The portico miraculously remained almost intact, while the station concourse, which was largely built of wood, burned down completely.

The administration building and the adjoining buildings on the east side also had to be largely demolished after the war due to severe damage. After the end of the war, there were no funds to renovate or rebuild the destroyed buildings.

1952: The railroad depot is closed

For over 100 years, the Bayerischer Bahnhof was an important long-distance transportation point for the region before the depot was closed in 1952. The tracks in the station had been equipped with electric overhead lines since October 2, 1961. In 1972, general cargo handling was relocated to Magdeburg-Thüringer Bahnhof.

1975: Monument protection & further plans

After the station was listed as a historical monument in 1975, plans were made around 1978 to convert parts of the station into a permanent display. In addition, a museum train was to be set up between the Bayerischer Bahnhof and the Technische Messe, which was to be operated during trade fair times and other events.

In the mid-1980s, the signal boxes were renewed using the existing high-rise buildings, while the shaped signals on the platform tracks were retained for reasons of monument protection.

1991: Renovation of the portico

As no measures were taken to prevent the station from falling into disrepair during the GDR era, the portico was extensively renovated after reunification with the help of Bavarian donors and railroad enthusiasts, among others.

In the following years, the station was still used for local transport until operations were finally discontinued completely on June 10, 2001.

2006: Displacement of the portico

Following preparatory measures from December 2005 to April 2006, the portico was moved 30.50 m to the east on April 10. Special slide bearings were used to move the 20 m high, 30 m wide, 6 m deep and 2,800 ton portico. In addition, the foundation was encased in concrete. After it had hardened, HEB steel beams were inserted through the foundation, on which the structure was lifted and moved.

The postponement was necessary to enable the construction of the new city tunnel. After completion of the construction work, the portico was moved back to its original position on October 30, 2009.

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2011: Renewed refurbishment & connection to S-Bahn

The exterior of the portico was renovated again from the beginning of 2011 to May 2012. As the building fabric was more dilapidated than expected, completion was delayed several times before the completion of the work was finally celebrated on May 25, 2012.

As part of the construction of the City Tunnel to the main station, an underground railroad station was built at Bayerischer Bahnhof by December 2013, integrating the station into the newly designed S-Bahn Central Germany network. Operationally, however, it is now only a stopping point.

Another stop(Leipzig MDR) was built on Semmelweisstraße near the former railroad depot. It is also still located on the former station site. The underground station was commissioned as part of the City Tunnel on December 15, 2013.

2019: Rediscovery of the Bayerischer Bahnhof

It has now been official since the end of September 2019: the Bayerischer Bahnhof site is being extensively developed. There will be 1,600 apartments, 3 schools and over 300 daycare places.

Here you will find further information on the planning objectives.