Halle Overview

Although unemployment is rampant in the former capital of Saxony-Anhalt, Halle’s university, art school, and first-rate art museum provide an exceptional cultural community. While nearby Leipzig boasts of Bach, Halle (pop. 240,000) has its own musical hero: Georg Friedrich Händel was born and raised here. The post-war revival of interest in Händel rejuvenated Halle’s artistic community. The music calendar culminates with the yearly Händel-Festspiele (June 4-14, 2009; see www.händelfestspiele.halle.de for more info). 2009 marks 250th anniversary of the composer’s death, so the year will be chock full of Händel.

• Orientation And Practical Information

Halle is divided into several districts. Most significant are the DDR-style Neustadt and the historic Altstadt, separated by the Saale River. The train station, major tram terminals, and all sights are ...more

• Accommodations

Hotel Sonnenschein, Torstr. 19 Follow Schmeerstr. past the Stadthaus and bear left onto Rannischestr. Walk under the highway at Franckepl. and continue 5 blocks down Steinweg; make a right onto Torstr ...more

• Food

Touristy cafes line Leipzigerstraße to the Marktplatz, and continue up Große Ulrichstr. toward Moritzburg. The route branches off at Marktpl. onto Kleine Ulrichstr., where places become decidedly hipper ...more

• Sights

STAATLICHE GALERIE MORITZBURG. The whitewashed Moritzburg fortress once housed the archbishops of Magdeburg. Today, the Staatliche Galerie occupies most of the 15th-century fortification. This art museum ...more

• Entertainment And Nightlife

Pick up a free Kultur Falter calendar from the tourist office for listings of cultural happenings. The free magazines Frizz and Blitz list shows, times, and locations. The Neues Theater box office “Kulturinsel ...more