LEIPZIG RURAL DISTRICT
LIVEABLE THROUGH AND THROUGH

The Leipzig rural district is located right at the point where Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia and Saxony come together. Between northern and central Saxony, there is a very special belt of land: a series of opencast lignite mines were flooded to create a new type of landscape with the evocative name “Neuseenland” – literally the Land of New Lakes. By contrast, the cultural landscapes of Saxony’s Burgenland or “Castle Country” in the Mulde Valley, and Kohrener Land, in the east of the district, have evolved over a far longer period. 

The Leipzig rural district is exceptionally attractive to water sports enthusiasts, leisure-seekers, culture lovers or families.

What is life like in the Leipzig rural district?

The Leipzig rural district is the perfect place for anyone wanting to rest, relax and get back to nature. Nowhere else is it as easy to get away from it all as in Neuseenland, where 22 new lakes have been created in the past few years, on an area of more than 70 square kilometres. Follow the canals and rivers straight to paradise – whether that means swimming, relaxing, playing beach volleyball, walking on white beaches or going whitewater kayaking. As part of the bid for the 2012 Olympics, a world-championship-level artificial whitewater course was built here: Kanupark Markkleeberg.

The river Mulde, which winds its way through the district from south to north, is also used by water sports enthusiasts, who can choose between the gentler Vereinigte Mulde and the wild Freiberger Mulde. Cyclists and hikers enjoy the countryside from the banks of the river. 
History buffs, meanwhile, can explore the district’s ancient manors, splendid landscaped gardens and magnificent castles. Colditz Castle is known around the world. Today, the historic zoo there makes a good spot for long strolls. Hikers love exploring the 800-year-old orchards of “Obstland” – “Fruit Country”. 

Kohrener Land, the district capital Borna and the many romantic villages have long been ports of call for day-trippers from Chemnitz and Leipzig. One more insider tip: Kohren-Sahlis (a little town known for its pottery), Gnandstein Castle, the mill museum and the summer toboggan run are known well beyond the area.

This rural region does not lack high culture, either: in fact, two large orchestras are based here, in Böhlen and Bad Lausick: the Leipzig Symphony Orchestra and the Saxon Philharmonic Orchestra of Wind Instruments. It isn’t far to Leipzig or Chemnitz, the region’s major cultural beacons. And the final touch that makes this rural district the place to be? The Highfield Festival: the biggest music festival in eastern Germany.

There’s plenty of space to live in Leipzig rural district. Many towns and municipalities have new areas under development; whole new districts are appearing there. Why not live right by a lake?

What is it like to learn and work in the Leipzig rural district?

The district’s proximity to Saxony’s key hubs – Leipzig, Chemnitz and Dresden – and those in Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt make it attractive to anyone wanting to combine an exciting career with fun in their free time. Commuters and travellers enjoy excellent conditions, with a full four motorways, top-class local public transport and (via Leipzig central station) a connection to the new intercity express train between Berlin and Munich and Leipzig/Halle International Airport.

Big international companies that have made themselves at home here include the Dow Chemical Company and the energy supplier LEAG. The medium-sized Sachsenobst, Wurzener Nahrungsmittel, Cryotec and Scholz Recycling are also known nationwide.

Well-qualified workers are increasingly sought after in the region’s key sectors: power generation, environmental engineering, the chemicals and plastics industry, the automotive industry and its supply chain, the food industry, agriculture, the capital goods industry, logistics, the healthcare industry and the tourist sector. Practically, they can be trained on the spot. A total of seven dual and full-time vocational schools leading to an intermediate or upper secondary school leaving certificate (ISCED 2 or 3), four of which are run independently, give young people a chance to learn a vocation and try out their skills locally.

Although students still have to commute for higher education, the Leipzig rural district is so well connected that they do not have to travel far.