Guided tour „Hidden Places at the German National Library“
Guided tour
Photo: DNB, Peter Kühne
begin 28.03.2025, 14:00
end 28.03.2025, 15:30
location Leipzig
What could be more exciting than taking a look behind the scenes? With over 600 rooms, the German National Library in Leipzig is a veritable El Dorado of unique spaces and stories. This evening tour offers a look behind some of the usually locked doors in one of Germany’s biggest libraries.
From the basement to the eves, this approximately hour-long tour leads you through a building that has grown continuously ever since the founding of what was then the Deutsche Bücherei and which has plenty of stories to tell. The rotunda and Fischhalle, the Sperrmagazin, the book transport system and the Kollektorgang: these are just some of the special locations included in the tour. You will also take in the great views of Leipzig from the roof, and take a peek inside the distinctive golden facade clock. During the tour, we will also tell you all about the “catalogue marten” and why there is a “coffin” in the building.
Information and contact
The event will be held in German.
Meeting point: Museum foyer, German Museum of Books and Writing at the German National Library in Leipzig
Costs: Free admission
Duration: 90 minutes
Booking: Registration not required.
Cloakroom info: You will need one- or two-Euro coins to store your bags and backpacks in the lockers.
Accessibility: The guided tour is not barrier-free accessible.
Contact: dbsm-info@dnb.de or phone +49 341 2271-324
Address and getting here
German National Library
German Museum of Books and Writing
Deutscher Platz 1
04103 Leipzig
Getting here
We advise you to use public transport.
1 / By public transport
By rail
From the main railway station, take S-Bahn S1 in the direction of Riesa, S2 in the direction of Markkleeberg-Gaschwitz, S3 in the direction of Stötteritz or S5/S5X in the direction of Zwickau. Journey time approx. 7 minutes, get off at “Leipzig MDR”. Exit onto Semmelweisstraße, then turn right and continue for 400 m to the intersection at Straße des 18. Oktober.
Alternatively, take tram line 16 from platform 2 in front of the main railway station (in the direction of Lößnig) and get off at “Deutsche Nationalbibliothek”. Journey time approx. 11 minutes.
By air
From Leipzig/Halle airport, take S-Bahn S5/S5X in the direction of Zwickau. Journey time approx. 30 minutes, get off at “Leipzig MDR”. Exit onto Semmelweisstraße, then turn right and continue for 400 m to the intersection at Straße des 18. Oktober.
2 / By car
Approaching from the north
Take the A9 to the Schkeuditzer Kreuz intersection, continue on the A14 towards Dresden and take the Leipzig-Mitte (city centre) exit; continue on the B2 towards Leipzig city centre as far as the intersection at Prager Straße/Semmelweisstraße (follow the signs for “Deutsche Nationalbibliothek”).
Approaching from the south and east
Take the A9 or A14, change to the A38 and continue to the Leipzig-Süd exit; change to the B2 and continue to the Südvorstadt exit; turn right into Kurt-Eisner-Straße and continue to the German National Library.
3 / Accessibility
The German National Library in Leipzig has disabled parking spaces right in front of the building. The entrance for disabled visitors is signposted. The reading rooms and cafeteria are accessible by lift.
Last changes:
18.02.2025
