Fockeberg

The Fockeberg in Leipzig's Südvorstadt is a man-made hill built from the rubble of the city districts destroyed in World War II. Between 1947 and the late 1960s, debris, mostly from the inner Südvorstadt, was dumped on former farm meadows. The name comes from the neighboring Fockestrasse, which was named after the merchant August Adolf Focke. After the rubble clearance ended, the site was used for household waste until 1983, before it was landscaped and planted with greenery in the early 1980s. Today the hill is a popular recreation spot, rising about 40 meters (130 feet) above the surrounding landscape.

Visitors reach the summit via a paved path lined with a sculpture gallery featuring works by various artists. From the plateau, you get expansive views of the city center, the adjoining floodplain forest, and the southern districts. The hill is also the setting for several sporting events, including the Fockeberglauf, held twice a year, the humorous soapbox race Prix de Tacot, and the Fockeberg time trial for cyclists. The plateau is also a traditional gathering spot for New Year's Eve celebrations. Thanks to its distinctive location, the Fockeberg is also regularly used as a filming location for movies and series set in Leipzig.