This was my first experience of urban exploration and it happened by accident. I'd been in Leipzig a couple of weeks by this stage and I'd noticed the shiny gold tower red star in the sky-line and was intrigued to go and visit. I was initially quite disappointed to see that the buildings were in an abandoned state but soon enjoyed wondering around and taking photographs.
Leipzig has featured in this blog before, with the Paulinekirche being an example of cultural heritage destroyed by the GDR, this time it's the symbols of communism which are shown in a forlorn state.
Leipzig has been famous for its trade fair since the Middle Ages and continues to be so today. The old trade fair complex (Alte Messe) was built in 1913, the Soviet Pavilion being added 12 years later though it didn't get its distinctive look until 1950 taking inspiration from 1930s Moscow architecture. The Pavilion, otherwise known as Halle 12 (Exhibition hall 12) was just one part of the trade fair centre. The card below showing the full extent of the complex.
The next card dates from the mid 1950s and shows people visiting a Sports and Gymnastics exhibition. I don't have any cards depicting the inside but there are photos around on the web if you wish to look.
I don't know when the next postcard is from but I like that it acts as a contrast to my photo, showing construction rather than destruction.
The trade fair moved location in 1996 and the old complex was largely abandoned, though I seem to remember that one of the neighbouring exhibition halls was being used as a supermarket when I was there.
The steps to exhibition hall 12 are still cordoned off but as it's a protected building it has not, in fact it cannot, be destroyed. I believe that the building is currently being sanitised and plans are afoot for the city archives to be moved there next year. I will update you on that when I know more, but in the time the gold tower and red star remain a symbol of a particular chapter in Leipzig's fascinating history.
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