Germany has always been a country, having rich trade traditions. That is why, almost in all the cities, are left the interesting historical buildings, related to trading.

In Leipzig, that is the Old Stock Exchange – now it is one of the oldest buildings in the Baroque style, which has been preserved in the city. Why the “old” one? Not just because the building is established hundreds of years ago, in the 17th century. But also because of the fact, that in 1886 the workers constructed a more modern and large building for the stock exchange. And, to avoid the confusion, these two places were named “old” and “new” exchanges of the city.

So, the history of the Old Stock Exchange started in 1678. 30 powerful and richest merchants of the city decided to sponsor the construction. They needed the building not just for showing their power, but also for common meetings and concluding the important bargains. To do these things at home or in taverns was inappropriate. That is how they got their own big and beautiful “office”.

To build the exchange, the merchants invited not just the master, but a true genius of the present times Johann Georg Starke. He already had 2 gorgeous projects in Dresden: the Summer Palace in the Great Park and the palace in the Italian Garden. So, it was obvious that the exchange building would be wonderful.

The construction was completed in 1687. But the first bargains were concluded in the building in 1679 when the decoration of the interior was not completed. As a result, the merchants of Leipzig got the perfect building. The first floor they rented, on the second floor, in a huge richly decorated hall, the meetings of merchants and the city’s authorities, as well as the auctions and pompous balls and masquerades took place.

Even now, when the trade bargains are not concluded in the exchange building, the balls and other cultural events take place.