Riquet House, Leipzig
Riquet House, also known as the “House with the Elephants,” is a striking example of architectural fusion, blending Art Nouveau with oriental influences. Located in Leipzig, this historic building was constructed between 1908 and 1909 for Riquet & Company, an oriental trading company that imported goods from China and Japan. The architect, Paul Lange, designed the building with a nod to the company’s trading roots, incorporating elements of East Asian architecture such as a pagoda-like roof and a colorful façade.
One of the most distinctive features of Riquet House is the two copper-plated elephant heads flanking the entrance, a symbol of the company and a popular photo spot for visitors. The building’s interior, now beautifully restored, retains its historic charm, with spacious high-ceilinged rooms, granite pillars, and intricate Art Nouveau details that blend seamlessly with the oriental design.
Today, Riquet House serves as a café, restaurant, and wine cellar, offering a unique dining experience steeped in history. It is one of the few remaining coffeehouses in Leipzig’s city center, aiming to revive the city’s café tradition with specialties like the Leipziger Lerche, Kaffee Riquet, and the Pharisäer. The café’s historical ambiance, combined with its distinctive architectural style, makes it a must-visit spot for both locals and tourists.
One of the most distinctive features of Riquet House is the two copper-plated elephant heads flanking the entrance, a symbol of the company and a popular photo spot for visitors. The building’s interior, now beautifully restored, retains its historic charm, with spacious high-ceilinged rooms, granite pillars, and intricate Art Nouveau details that blend seamlessly with the oriental design.
Today, Riquet House serves as a café, restaurant, and wine cellar, offering a unique dining experience steeped in history. It is one of the few remaining coffeehouses in Leipzig’s city center, aiming to revive the city’s café tradition with specialties like the Leipziger Lerche, Kaffee Riquet, and the Pharisäer. The café’s historical ambiance, combined with its distinctive architectural style, makes it a must-visit spot for both locals and tourists.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Leipzig. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Riquet House on Map
Sight Name: Riquet House
Sight Location: Leipzig, Germany (See walking tours in Leipzig)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Leipzig, Germany (See walking tours in Leipzig)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Leipzig, Germany
Create Your Own Walk in Leipzig
Creating your own self-guided walk in Leipzig is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
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The name "Leipzig" may be derived from the Slavic word "Lipsk", meaning "linden trees place." The Nazi government renamed the city "Reichsmessestadt Leipzig" ("Reich Fair Trade City Leipzig"). In 1989, with the fall of communism, the city was "Hero City" - in recognition of the role that the Monday demonstrations there played in the fall... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.9 Km or 0.6 Miles
Our first point of interest lies in downtown Leipzig at the intersection of Katherine and Bruhl Streets. Here, the stunning Baroque-style Romanus... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.9 Km or 0.6 Miles
A Walk on the Leipzig Music Trail
The spatial density of historic locations associated with music in Leipzig is truly mind-boggling. But then again, this is hardly surprising, given the eclectic score of musicians who had left their mark on the city in various years.
Indeed, it was in Leipzig that Johann Sebastian Bach served as an organist and choirmaster at Thomaskirche as well as a cantor at Nikolaikirche; composer Robert... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Indeed, it was in Leipzig that Johann Sebastian Bach served as an organist and choirmaster at Thomaskirche as well as a cantor at Nikolaikirche; composer Robert... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles