Leonberg

Leonberg is a town in Böblingen district, Baden-Württemberg, about 16 kilometers west of Stuttgart. The built-up area spreads over gentle hills and wide valleys at roughly 386 meters (1266 feet) elevation, combining an old core with newer residential quarters.

Count Ulrich I of Württemberg founded the settlement in 1248 and surrounded it with stone defenses and a moat. In the 16th century Duke Christoph transformed the old seat into a residence with formal gardens.

The town takes its name from the lion crest of its founders and displays this heritage through stone sculptures and carved details throughout the old center. Visitors walking the market square on February mornings witness traders setting up stalls in patterns that echo centuries of commerce.

The old center sits on a hill and is easy to reach on foot, while modern residential areas fan out into surrounding valleys. Parking lots near the edge provide convenient access to the historic core.

The only surviving terraced Renaissance garden in Germany dates from 1609 and was restored following original designs by Heinrich Schickhardt. The layout features geometric beds and sculptures that recall early 17th-century courtly garden art.