Markkleeberg, Germany

Welcome to Markkleeberg, an affluent suburb of Leipzig located in the Leipzig district of the Free State of Saxony, Germany. This charming city is known for its beautiful river Pleiße that runs through it and borders Leipzig to the north and west. Markkleeberg is also the entry point to a region of recultivated open-cast mining lakes south of Leipzig dubbed the Leipziger Neuseenland.

History:
Markkleeberg has a rich history that dates back to several towns that have been merged over the years. The center of modern-day Markkleeberg used to be called Oetzsch, which was merged with the smaller outlying district Markkleeberg in 1911 and renamed Oetzsch-Markkleeberg. Oetzsch-Markkleeberg was in turn merged with Gautzsch, and the whole town was called Markkleeberg, although Markkleeberg was the smallest, because it sounded most Germanic at a time of Nazi-led Germanisation. The name of Oetzsch has most likely a Wendish origin. In 1316, it was mentioned in a document as Euschiz. The village originally had the form of a Rundling. In 1813, much of the Battle of Leipzig took place where today’s Markkleeberg is situated. During 1944 and 1945, a forced labor camp for women was established in the town, initially a subcamp of the Ravensbrück concentration camp and later of Buchenwald. Among the inmates were a thousand Jewish women from Hungary and 250 French resistance fighters. In early April 1945, the surviving inmates were transferred to the Mauthausen-Gusen camp in Austria. Today, Markkleeberg is a growing town because of its proximity to Leipzig.

Culture:
Markkleeberg is a well-known tourist destination. Cospudener See, Markkleeberger See, Kanupark Markkleeberg, as well as many parks, are close to the city. The Cospudener See is a popular lake for swimming, boating, and sunbathing. The Markkleeberger See is a beautiful lake that offers a variety of water sports, including sailing, windsurfing, and kayaking. Kanupark Markkleeberg is a unique white-water canoeing park that offers a thrilling experience for visitors. The city also has many parks, including the Agra-Park, which is a beautiful park that hosts many events throughout the year.

Twin towns – sister cities:
Markkleeberg is twinned with Boville Ernica, Italy; Neusäß, Germany; Pierre-Bénite, France; and Zărnești, Romania.

Plan your trip to Markkleeberg today and experience the rich history, beautiful landscapes, and unique culture of this charming city in Germany!