Only denkmal in Leipzig can offer you a complete market overview, with excellent insights into all facets of conservation, restoration and old building renovation. 499 exhibitors from 26 countries presented their product highlights in 2024.

These included renowned companies from: the construction sector, industry players including companies with specialised products, market leaders, specialist companies in the field of preservation, restorers, architects and institutions.

Intergenerational knowledge transfer is essential in order to pass on traditions to the next generation and preserve cultural heritage.

denkmal has much on offer for the skilled workers of the future. It provides information on job profiles, training opportunities, professional and further education institutions and training centres. It also offers details on specific courses at universities, technical colleges and schools as well as on apprenticeships and internships. Those interested can also obtain an overview of opportunities for a year of voluntary social service or for taking part in youth projects. Many exhibitors also offer products and services for the skilled workers of the future.

Experts from the fields of heritage conservation and restoration will be sharing their knowledge, providing inspiration and showing off their trades over the course of this three-day trade fair.

The focus at denkmal will be on traditional, rare and old crafts as well as handicraft treasures. You can feel the passion in the "live workshops" and activity areas. Experience old arts, traditional crafts and restoration techniques up close. Stucco, wood, stone, metal, clay, colours and textiles can all be felt and touched as denkmal brings these materials to life for all its visitors.

"Live workshops" offer a chance to look over specialists' shoulders and get involved by trying out the trades of carpenters, joiners, roofers, stonemasons, plasterers, clay builders, painters and weavers, girdlers and mosaicists as well as academic restorers.

denkmal is Europe's most important further education event for conservation, restoration and old building renovation.

Over 200 practical events will be taking place around the City of Leipzig, in the Congress Centre Leipzig and at exhibitors' stands and forums in the halls during the three days of the trade fair.

Participants inform themselves in various workshops, congresses and lectures. The programme is rounded off with award ceremonies, members' meetings, cooperation exchanges, panel discussions, project presentations, best practice examples, special shows and much more.

Thanks to the strong international presence at denkmal, you can enjoy cross-border networking with all of your German and international peers. 13,400 people from 42 countries attended the last denkmal and MUTEC.

In 2024, interesting foreign representations and expert delegations came from France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Poland, but also Belgium, Sweden, Latvia and Hungary. The CONTACT cooperation exchange, organised by the Leipzig Chamber of Skilled Crafts and further partners, supports networking between exhibitors and visitors.

Together with MUTEC, the international trade fair for museum and exhibition technology, that takes place simultanously on two days, denkmal represents an unique combination of trade fairs that covers all aspects of the preservation of cultural heritage.

EU citizens do not require a visa to enter Germany.

All nationals who do require a visa can find the relevant information here:

• List of countries requiring a visa:
  Overview of visa requirements
• Learn more:
  General information on visa regulations

Important: Please schedule an appointment with the relevant visa office as early as possible to ensure you can submit your visa application well in time before the trade show.

• In general, applications must be submitted in person to the German embassy or consulate responsible for your country of residence.
• Information on the required documents is available on the website of the respective German mission abroad

You will typically need the following documents:

• Completed visa application form
• Valid passport
• Confirmed travel bookings (e.g. flight, train, hotel)
• Proof of health insurance
• For exhibitors: additionally, exhibitor pass or stand invoice
• For visitors: a trade fair ticket

According to a directive issued by the German Federal Foreign Office (July 2013), an invitation letter from the trade fair organizer is generally no longer required for trade fair visa applications.

In addition, exhibitors are exempt from the visa fee.

Please refer to this regulation when submitting your visa application.

If an invitation letter is still required, please complete the following form:

Invitation letter for visa application

Important Notes about the Invitation Letter

• Invitation letters can be requested no earlier than four months before the event starts.
• Invitation letters will only be issued to congress delegates, exhibitors and trade visitors of the particular trade show or congress who can prove their professional connection to the industry.
• All data are processed exactly as entered in the online form. Corrections are not possible. If any information is incorrect, you must submit the form again.
• The invitation letter is sent by email only as a PDF document. We do not send visa invitation letters by fax – neither to you nor to embassies.
• Processing may take up to four working days and cannot be expedited.
• Please check your spam folder before contacting us about a missing invitation.
• Purchasing a trade show ticket does not automatically entitle you to receive an invitation letter.

If you come from the following countries, please contact the foreign representative of Leipziger Messe in your country of origin. The respective representatives will assist you with the visa application - including, for example, the letter of invitation.

If you have any questions about your visa application, please contact the Leipziger Messe representative office in your country:
Overview of international representatives

Or get in touch directly with our Visa Service:
visa@leipziger-messe.de

We want all visitors to our trade fairs to be able to get to their respective destinations quickly. That is why the Leipzig Exhibition Centre is designed to be barrier-free and offer short, easy routes. Our accessible entrance system allows plenty of freedom of movement.

All halls are accessible at ground level and there are no thresholds to hinder access. This allows visitors with limited mobility to reach all entrances with ease. In the unlikely event that you come across any obstacles, we would appreciate you drawing this to our attention!

Detailed information about accessibility