Merseburg, once the residence of kings and bishops, is a small university town of historic character with approximately 35,000 residents. It is located next to the Leuna chemical site (https://www.infraleuna.de/en/) in a region with a strong tradition of outstanding chemical production at all scales.
Only 15 km from Merseburg lies Halle on the banks of the Saale river. It is the largest and most densely populated city in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, and it is an important historical and economically aspiring city in the heart of Germany. With its university, two colleges, and renowned research institutions for economics and biosciences as well as a booming logistics industry, it is one of the thriving cities in the region. The beautiful scenery and parks, which are inviting locations for sports or a barbecue with friends, as well as numerous cafés, bars, and clubs make Halle an attractive place to study.
Halle's rich 1,200-year history is reflected in its large variety of cultural opportunities and architectural monuments such as the Moritzburg and Giebichenstein Castles, the Halle Cathedral, the Halloren and Saltworks Museums, and the Franckesche Stiftungen – to name only a few. These old, intricately restored buildings from different epochs along with attractive, modern architecture make for a unique townscape. As the birthplace of Georg-Friedrich Händel, Halle is also the acknowledged cultural capital of Saxony-Anhalt, and it has a distinctive arts community. The Opera House, the Händel Auditorium, and numerous other theatres and stages have much to offer to the inclined audience.
Apart from the local attractions, Merseburg/Halle is a great starting point to do more travelling in Germany. You can easily reach every other city via two major interstate motorways, railway, or the Leipzig-Halle Airport.