Built 1898-1900 by Heinrich Rust for the Leipzig Zoo society. Opened 29 Sep 1900. The complex included several halls and function rooms: "Großer Saal", "Weißer Saal", "Richard-Wagner-Saal", "Bachsaal", "Goethezimmer", "Lessing-Saal", "Leibnizsaal", "Lortzing-Saal", "Mendelssohn-Bartholdy-Zimmer", and "Basteizimmer". During World War I, used as a military hospital. 1946 rebuilding. Re-opened 19 Aug 1946 with a concert by the Gewand-Orchester. 1946-1981 home to the Gewandhaus-Orchester, until the new "Gewandhaus" (the third building of this name) at Augustusplatz was opened. 1946-1998 home to the fist German children's theatre, "Theater der Jungen Welt" (at "Weißer Saal"). 1947 major interior rebuilding. Subsequently used as a multi-purpose hall for all kinds of entertainment and sport events. From 1978, home to the "Leipziger Jazztage" jazz festival. Closed due to safety problems in 1988 (except the "Weißer Saal"). Stagehouse destroyed by a fire on 28 Aug 1989. Subsequently the whole complex was closed. Since 1998, safety works and renovations.

Link: www.kongresshalle-leipzig.de