Leipzig has been known for its fairs since the 12th century. But the city has more highlights with its buildings, personalities and events. Leipzig was already mentioned in documents in the year 1015. However, findings from prehistoric times prove that a settlement took place much earlier. Since then, the trade fair city can look back on an impressive history. Richard Wagner and Johann Sebastian Bach made music here, and Goethe wrote his work on Doktor Faustus during his student days. In the old town, visitors can get a glimpse of past times as they stroll through the alleyways past the Gewandhaus or climb the tower of the New Town Hall, which is almost 115 meters high. A view of the city from the Monument to the Battle of the Nations, where the armies of Russia, Prussia, Austria and Sweden celebrated victory over the French emperor Napoleon in 1813, is highly recommended. The ideal starting point for sightseeing is IntercityHotel Leipzig.