The Leipzig Panometer is a former gas storage tower in the south of the city, now used to show large circular paintings by the artist Yadegar Asisi. Since 2003 it has held 360-degree panoramas 32 meters high, each with its own theme, from polar ice to the Battle of Leipzig in 1813. Every panorama comes with an exhibition that explains its subject, and sound and light shift the scene from day to night. It suits anyone who likes art, history or nature on a large scale. Plan about an hour or more.
A former gas tank in the south of Leipzig
The Panometer is in the Connewitz area, in the south of Leipzig. The building is a gasometer with a brick shell, 50 meters tall and 57 meters across, and it dates to 1909. Gasometers like this stored gas for the city.
Yadegar Asisi was born in Austria and spent part of his youth in Leipzig. He has shown his panoramas in this building since 2003. The name joins two words: panorama and gasometer. The panoramas are usually replaced every two or three years, so the lineup you see depends on when you visit.
How a visit works
The visit starts with photographs and paintings on the walls, each with information beside it. Then you enter the circular panorama and use what you have just read to make sense of the scene.
The panorama cycles between day and night in stretches of about 15 minutes. Background music, noises and light effects make the change feel real. The central building also has a video mapping presentation of a painting. At the end of the Antarctica exhibition, a tall tower gives a view over the polar landscape.
The panoramas are printed with current technology. Asisi works with paper, pencil and computers, and making-of films show how the works are made.
The panoramas on show
The Antarctica panorama has been the current show in recent visits. Glaciers, icebergs and polar wildlife surround you, and the light moves between day and night.
The Leipzig 1813 panorama has been shown since August 2013. The circular painting covers more than 3,500 square meters and reconstructs the architecture of Leipzig and the upheaval of the Battle of the Nations.
The Monet exhibition, Cathedral of Monet, opened in March 2024. It takes its subject from Monet's many paintings of Rouen Cathedral. Earlier shows have included the Great Barrier Reef, the Amazon rainforest, the Titanic, Mount Everest and Rome in 312 A.D., and New York City.
Facilities and getting there
The site has a restaurant and a café. The entrance and restrooms are wheelchair accessible, and so is the parking lot. A changing table, assisted listening devices and a free parking lot are also available.
Families can use a family discount, and children have their own discounts. Kid-friendly activities are part of the visit, and the site is set up for families.
Tram line 9 serves the area. Opposite the Panometer are the studios of MDR, the regional public broadcaster. The Monument to the Battle of the Nations is about five minutes away by car, and the Südfriedhof cemetery borders it, with a park-like landscape for a walk.
FAQ
Is there an entry fee?
Yes, there is an admission fee. Tickets can be bought at the counter, but the site recommends buying them in advance. Family and children's discounts are available.
How long do you need at the Panometer?
Plan about 1 to 1.5 hours to see the exhibition and the panorama at a comfortable pace.
Is the Panometer accessible for wheelchairs?
Yes. The entrance, the restroom and the parking lot are wheelchair accessible.
Is the Panometer good for children?
Yes. The site is family-friendly, offers kid-friendly activities and has discounts for children. One visitor found it interesting and fun for both adults and kids.
