Mitte in Leipzig, Saxony, Germany — Central Europe
Erste Montagsdemonstration auf dem Ring
Orte der Friedlichen Revolution
⎯⎯⎯
First Monday demonstration on the city ring
Sites of the Peaceful Revolution
| — | '89 | — |
Photographed by James Hulse, March 11, 2026
1. Erste Montagsdemonstration auf dem Ring / First Monday demonstration on the city ring Marker
25. September 1989
Erste Montagsdemonstration auf dem Ring
Im Laufe des September 1989 spitzte sich die Situation zu. Am 4. September hatten die Sicherheitskräfte wegen der Leipziger Messe nicht gewaltsam eingegriffen. An den folgenden Montagen nahmen sie auf dem Nikolaikirchhof 120 Personen fest. Zahlreiche Oppositionelle erhielten mehrmonatige Haftstrafen, was zu DDR-weiten Solidaritätsaktionen führte.
Beim Friedensgebet am 25. September 1989 betonte Pfarrer Christoph Wonneberger in seiner Andacht in der überfüllten Nikolaikirche: „Wir können auf Gewalt verzichten.“ Nach dem Friedensgebet versperrten Polizeiketten die Straßen zum Markt. Daher bewegte sich die Menge zum heutigen Augustusplatz, vereinigte sich mit den in Nebenstraßen Wartenden und demonstrierte erstmals auf dem Leipziger Ring. Von dieser Situation offenbar überrascht, griff die Polizei nicht ein. Etwa 5.000 Personen liefen bis zum Richard-Wagner-Platz und kehrten dort ohne erkennbaren Anlass um.
Diese Demonstration war der Auftakt der kraftvollen und friedlichen Leipziger Montagsdemonstrationen.
Foto: Johannes Beleites
September 25, 1989
First Monday demonstration on the city ring
During September 1989, the situation intensified. On September 4, the security forces had not intervened with violence because of the Leipzig Fair. On the following Monday, they arrested 120 people at the St. Nicholas' Churchyard. Many opposition activists were given prison sentences of several months, resulting in GDR-wide solidarity actions.
In the prayers for peace on September 25, 1989, Pastor Christoph Wonneberger said in his prayer at the crowded St. Nicholas' Church: "We're free to reject violence." After the prayers for peace police lines blocked the roads to the market. Therefore, the crowd moved to the area now known as Augustusplatz where they united with people waiting in the side streets and demonstrated for the first time on the Leipzig city ring. Obviously surprised by this situation, the police did not intervene. Approximately 5,000 people walked up to the Richard-Wagner-Platz, and turned back there for no apparent reason.
This demonstration was the beginning of the powerful and peaceful Leipzig Monday demonstrations.
Photo: Johannes Beleites
Erected by City
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. A significant historical date for this entry is September 25, 1989.
Location. 51° 20.63′ N, 12° 22.279′ E. Marker is in Leipzig, Sachsen (Saxony). It is in Mitte. It is at the intersection of Goerdelerring and Sachsen Road B87, on the right when traveling north on Goerdelerring. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Leipzig SN 04109, Germany. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, Central Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Größte Leipziger MontagsdemonstrationLargest / Monday demonstration in Leipzig (within shouting distance of this marker); 20.000 Demonstranten auf dem Ring / 20,000 demonstrators on the city ring (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); Evangelisch-reformierte Kirche / Evangelical Reformed Church
Photographed by James Hulse, March 11, 2026
2. Erste Montagsdemonstration auf dem Ring / First Monday demonstration on the city ring Marker
The view of the marker along the street.
Photographed by James Hulse, March 11, 2026
3. Erste Montagsdemonstration auf dem Ring / First Monday demonstration on the city ring Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 19, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
