From Cotton to Art: the Leipzig Cotton Mill
June 21, 1884:
The first cotton is produced in the brand-new cotton mill in Leipzig. A good 130 years later, you can see something completely different. It is not cotton, but art which is produced here today. At the edge of the Lindenau district is the Leipzig cotton mill. About 100 artists from all over the world live and work here. The cotton mill also has eleven galleries, a large art centre, a bicycle factory, a goldsmith and much more. For art lovers, a visit to this creative incubator is a perfect trip.
Every Friday and Saturday, the cotton mill offers guided tours of the grounds for a small fee. But you can also discover the mill for yourself. On the more than 10 hectare industrial area are special buildings with beautiful industrial details. Behind the doors are the workshops and galleries of various artists. Paintings, photo-installations, sculpture and a ceramics workshop, there is something for everyone.
Not only do the artists work in the cotton mill, some also live in this special place. During the open days (once in spring and once in autumn) you can also take a look at the apartments of these creative peoples. How cool! Between the works of art, paint tubes and newspaper clippings stands the artist’s bed. With a toothbrush on the bedside table. The artists get up here and go to bed again. This ensures a particularly creative atmosphere, which is also perceptible to visitors of the old spinning mill.
You could spend a whole day wandering around the grounds of the cotton mill. In between, feel like something tasty? In the café ‘Die Versorger’ you can enjoy fine fare and homemade cakes at a student price and in summer, the beer garden is also open. Sometimes small stands with mulled wine, warm rice pudding and hot chocolate pop up spontaneously in winter.
I can recommend you visit the Leipzig cotton mill on one of its open days. All the galleries and workshops will be open then, creating a lively atmosphere. In addition, some of the artists’ living spaces are open. Mark the first weekend of May on your calendar, because at the same time as last year, the ‘Mairundgang’ will take place. Can’t you wait any longer? From Tuesday to Saturday many galleries are open. On the website of the Baumwollspinnerei you’ll find the exact opening hours.
Here you can find our hotel in the center of Leipzig.
