Leipzig is a city located in the German state of Saxony. It is the largest city in the state and the second largest in the country. Leipzig has a long and storied history, as it was first documented in 1015. It quickly grew to become an important trading city in the Middle Ages, and its location on the Via Regia, a major trade route, helped it become an important hub for commerce. Leipzig was also an important center for culture and the arts, and it was home to several famous composers, including Johann Sebastian Bach, Felix Mendelssohn, and Richard Wagner. During the 19th century, Leipzig was a major industrial center, and it was a major center of the German Enlightenment. During World War II, Leipzig was heavily damaged by bombing, but it was rebuilt after the war and is now a vibrant and modern city. It is also home to several universities and is a popular tourist destination.