Federal Administrative Court Building Tour Leipzig

The Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig

The Federal Administrative Court is the highest court for administrative law in Germany, but its building is much older than the court itself. It was built as the seat of the Reichsgericht, the Imperial Court of Justice, and opened in 1895 in a monumental neo-Renaissance style with a dome that still stands out on the skyline south-west of the old town. Visitors who search for a Federal Administrative Court tour in Leipzig are usually surprised by how rich the interior is.

Today the court decides disputes between citizens and the state, so the tour also explains how the judiciary works now and what role this court plays in the German legal system. The guide moves easily between the building's story and the cases that are handled inside it today.

The historic courtrooms

The highlight is the large courtroom with coats of arms of the German states and portraits that recall the imperial era. Here the guide explains the red robe and beret that German federal judges still wear, and tells the story of landmark proceedings held in Leipzig, including the Reichstag fire trial of 1933 and the 1907 trial of Karl Liebknecht.

Sometimes the large courtroom is closed for renovation. When this happens the guided tour still takes place and the guide describes the room using photographs. If you want to see the courtroom itself, check this before you book.

The former President's residence

The tour also opens the rooms where the President of the court once lived, a rare chance to see the private side of a high institution. The rooms show how senior judges lived in the late nineteenth century, with high ceilings and decorative details.

The guide links these rooms to the building's turbulent twentieth century: its use during the German Democratic Republic era as a museum, and its return to the judiciary in 2002 when the Federal Administrative Court moved in. It is a compact way to follow one building through several political systems.

Visiting tips

The tour starts in front of the court at Simsonplatz 1, and you should arrive 10 to 15 minutes before the start. The minimum age is 14, and tours are usually in German; English can be requested in advance. Opening hours of the building follow tour times, so you can only enter with a booked group.

The court is a short tram ride from the old town, and the tour finishes in time for dinner. For the best experience, combine it with a stroll to the nearby Johannapark or the old town afterwards. Please carry a valid photo ID, as security checks can apply at a federal court.