The Forum of Contemporary History Leipzig, or Zeitgeschichtliches Forum, explores life in East Germany from the division of the country to the Peaceful Revolution of 1989 and the years after reunification. Run by the House of History Foundation, this museum in the city centre uses everyday objects, photographs, documents and personal accounts to make the political history tangible.
Leipzig is a fitting place to encounter this story. The city’s Monday demonstrations became a defining force in the movement that challenged East Germany’s government in 1989. The permanent exhibition considers surveillance and repression alongside work, leisure and private life, giving visitors a nuanced sense of how people lived under dictatorship. Changing exhibitions add new perspectives on contemporary German history.
Admission to the permanent exhibition is free, and the museum is an easy walk from Leipzig Hauptbahnhof. Allow two to three hours if you want time to explore in depth; weekday mornings can be quieter. The museum is normally closed on Mondays, so check current opening times before setting out.