Cities & Culture

Forum of Contemporary History Leipzig

This museum in the centre of Leipzig invites visitors to engage with and reflect upon contemporary German history from the end of the Second World War to the present day.

The Forum of Contemporary History in Leipzig looks back on the history of political repression, opposition and resistance as well as the peaceful revolution that unfolded in a divided Germany and everyday life in East Germany. The collection was put together in 1986 with a focus on artefacts that physically document and recall contemporary history. Everyday objects appear alongside documents, videos, newspapers, machinery, furniture and textiles. In more recent years, digital exhibits have been added to the collection.

The new permanent exhibition called "Our History. Dictatorship and Democracy after 1945" puts the period after reunification in the spotlight and introduces new topics for discussion. Visitors to the Forum of Contemporary History are taken on a thrilling journey through time. The exhibition starts off in the time immediately after the end of the Second World War, depicts what life was like in East Germany and ends up looking at the current status quo in Germany. Opening times: Tuesday to Friday: 9 am–6 pm, Saturday and Sunday: 10 am–6 pm

Explore the surroundings