Johann Sebastian Bach was born the youngest son of a musical family in Eisenach in 1685. The old town there still has many reminders of his childhood – such as St. George’s Church, where Bach was baptized. There’s also the Bach Museum with its depiction of the life of the city’s greatest son.

Bach was appointed the Court Director of Music by Leopold, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen in 1717. The job made the composer head of an outstanding orchestra. The Bach exhibition in Köthen provides a comprehensive look at the years in which he focussed on secular music.

But it was in Leipzig that Bach reached his creative pinnacle, writing hundreds of cantatas, choral works, oratories and passions. A major magnet for Bach tourists is the Bach Museum, which boasts a range of original manuscripts, and St. Thomas’ Church (where Bach was cantor and is also buried).