Mädlerpassage | Leipzig, Germany

What comes to mind when you think of Germany a few centuries back? Is it by any chance the merchants and their orderly and efficient shops? Or the young Johann Wolfgang von Goethe roaming the streets of Leipzig looking for inspiration for his Faust?

When you step off the main streets of Leipzig into the hidden passages, it's like entering the old world of Germany's mercantile splendour. This arcade in the photo is a great example of this. The Mädler-Passage dates back to the 16th century. It was here that Leipzig's finest shops were located. And to this day, the arcade has retained its tradition - with traditional shops that you can fall in love with.