A brief history of this historic location...

1525: The physician and university professor Heinrich Stromer opens a wine bar in the cellar of his house, as "Wine is an excellent prophylactic against many ailments, if administered correctly".

1765: Johann Wolfgang v Goethe starts his studies in Leipzig. During his visits in "Auerbachs Keller" the old paintings with the tales of Dr. Johann Faust, including the barrel ride from the Leipzig wine cellar, inspired him to write the Faust composition.

1833: Albert Lortzing is a constant guest in the Keller, working on the opera Zar und Zimmermann (Tsar and Carpenter) with his friends.

1885: At that time Mori Ôgai (1862-1922) was working as a military hygienist in Germany. Together with his friend Inoue Sonken who studied philosophy in Heidelberg, he paid a visit to Auerbachs Keller. Later he wrote in his diary that they both had been considering whether it were possible to translate Faust into Japanese. And, indeed, in 1913 his translation of the Faust drama was published in Japan. Until today, it is valid as authorized translation.