Sights, Attractions and Culture and Leisure Tips

Stuttgart

The automotive industry, winegrowing and Spätzle (German egg noodles) specialities are the world-renowned features of Stuttgart and its surroundings. The capital city of the German State of Baden-Württemberg has a population of around 600,000 and forms the centre of one of the most industrial regions in Germany. For those who know their culture, Stuttgart has been far more than just an insiders’ tip for a long time, with attractions such as Stuttgart National Theatre, the “Kunstmuseum Stuttgart” (‘Stuttgart Art Museum’) and the Weissenhof Estate making this city in the southwest of Germany a key location for culture lovers. Come and experience Stuttgart and follow in the footsteps of Gottlieb Daimler or Robert Bosch...

Leonberg

A Town with a History and a Future
As one of the oldest towns in Baden-Württemberg, Leonberg is considered to be a location where history and the modern age come together in a combination of a relaxed Swabian atmosphere and a hub of bustling activity. The town's palace, which was built between 1560 and 1565, can be found directly on the outskirts of the picturesque town centre. One of the palace's main claims to fame is that it was the residence of the mother of the German poet Friedrich Schiller for several years.

Leonberg is also home to an attraction that is unique in Germany: the Leonberg Bitter Orange Garden ("Pomeranzgarten")! The garden, which is planted below Leonberg Palace, was created by the State's famous architect Heinrich Schickhardt as a Renaissance garden in 1609.

The town's idyllic location between extensive forest areas enables it to offer ideal local recreation and leisure activities such as hiking, going for walks and Nordic walking. Visitors can also make the most of excellent shopping facilities and a varied art and culture scene.

The Civic Hall, which is located directly next to the hotel on the edge of the Town Park, is an excellent venue for conferences and other events and offers ideal transport connections.

On top of all this, the highlight of the town's annual calendar of events is the traditional Leonberg Horse Market, which has been taking place on the second Tuesday in February for over 300 years.

Location:
 
The 'gateway' to the "Strohgäu" landscape region and the Black Forest, as seen from Stuttgart, is located on the intersection of the A8 (Munich - Stuttgart - Karlsruhe) and A81 (Heilbronn - Stuttgart - Singen (the 'Lake Constance' route)) motorways. It is only a 15-minute drive away from Stuttgart Airport!
 

History:
 
Leonberg was the first town to be founded by the Counts of Württemberg. The town of "Levinberch" was founded by Count Ulrich the First in 1248/49 as a fortress and a counterbalance to the surrounding imperial cities. The town gets its name from Löwenberg Castle on the slopes of the Engelberg Mountain, the rulers of which bore a coat of arms depicting a lion. This formed the origin of the current coat of arms of the town of Leonberg: a black lion against a yellow background.

Leonberg was awarded the title of "Amtsstadt" (county town) in 1350 and therefore became the centre point of the region and was awarded market privileges. Alongside its weekly farmers' market, the town also hosted seven fairs over the centuries. One of its particularly significant events was the horse market, which was established in 1684 and took place every second Tuesday. In fact, this market is still a true highlight with a folk festival atmosphere nowadays!

The town was characterised by administrative powers, small trades and crafts and agriculture until the second half of the 19th century.

It is now a modern commercial centre.

Business:
 
A multitude of companies from a wide variety of industries have relocated to Leonberg, where they work to maintain and develop their international business relationships and build on their excellent global reputations. Enterprises such as Robert Bosch GmbH, GEZE and LEWA are all based in Leonberg, as are renowned agencies from the creative and advertising industry.

Sights and attractions:
 
The Historic Marketplace
Home to a market fountain and half-timbered constructions (with pediment lighting)

• The "Marktplatz 10" building: The residence of the notary and Mayor of Leonberg Gottlieb Wilhelm Hoffmann (1771-1846), the founder of the Korntal civic community
• The "Marktplatz 11" building: The residence of the family of the astronomer Johannes Kepler
• The "Marktplatz 26" building: Where the German poet Friedrich Hölderlin spent his "happiest hours" with Luise Nast

The Bitter Orange Garden and Palace
The construction of these landmarks was commissioned by Duke Christoph between 1560 and 1565. They were the dowager's estate of Duchess Sibylle of Württemberg in 1609. The palace complex was restored by the architect Heinrich Schickhardt and the fountain and bitter orange house were added as extensions to the terraced garden.

The Evangelical Town Church
The Town Church of Leonberg, which is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, features architecture from a variety of periods, with its Romanesque nave dating back to the 13th century and its Gothic choir and vestibule representing the building style of the 15th century. The Renaissance dome was added to the church tower in 1574. The church is home to a unique collection of grand bourgeois funerary monuments from the Renaissance period that were produced by the sculptor Jeremias Schwartz.

The "Engelbergturm" Water Tower
This construction is the landmark of the town of Leonberg. At the "Engelbergturm" water tower, you can enjoy a glorious panoramic view stretching as far as the Black Forest and the Heilbronn Mountains. Opening hours: May until the end of October, 9am - 5pm on Sundays and public holidays (unless the weather conditions are extremely bad)

The "Stonehouse" by the Upper Tower
The "Stonehouse" has been proven to be the oldest building in Leonberg. It was built in the year 1350, when it was the residence of the noblemen of the town. The "Stonehouse" is now home to the "Schwarzer Adler" inn.

Schelling's Birth House (Pfarrstraße 14)
This building was the birth house of the theologian Eberhard Paulus and of Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph Schelling, one of the few extremely important German philosophers.

Carl-Schmincke-Straße
The street "Carl-Schmincke-Straße" is located at the heart of the district of Eltingen and is home to a number of grand half-timbered houses that make it one of the most attractive streets in Baden-Württemberg.

The Town Park and Peace Memorial
Leonberg's green central park was created after the gypsum plant based in the area closed in 1977.

Museums and galleries:

• The Leonberg Town Museum and Schelling Memorial Chapel
• The Gebersheim Farmhouse Museum
• The Christian Wagner Museum in Warmbronn
• The "Galerieverein Leonberg e.V." art gallery association
• The art exhibitions at Warmbronn Library