Leonberg is most famous as the birthplace of a breed of dogs known as the Leonberger. These massive canines were developed by crossing Newfoundland, St. Bernard, and Great Pyrenees dogs. The result is a huge and lovable breed that makes great family pets and companions.
If you visit the town you will find that the people who live in Leonberg are proud of their namesakes and will be glad to show you examples of the breed and explain their virtues to you.
Residents of Leonberg are also proud of their carefully restored and preserved historic sights. You will want to see the town square or marketplace, which is surrounded by lovely half-timbered houses that date back to the 15th through 17th centuries. The square is the location for many special events like flea markets, Christmas Bazaars, and an annual horse market.
A fountain built in 1566 stands at the center of the marketplace and features a statue of a man bearing the town’s coat of arms. Other structures you will want to see include the remains of a Franciscan Monastery, parts of the old town wall and the Castle Leonberg.
Several walking tours have been planned by the town, which will give you information and exercise at the same time. There is a “Walk of Remembrance” which takes you on a tour of the life, work, and death of prisoners that were held in a concentration camp during World War II.
Another tour begins at the home of the poet Christian-Wagner, and has 11 stops along its route through meadows and forests where you can read poems and learn about the poet. Other tours will take you to an ancient wine press, historic homes and stately churches.
There are numerous museums in the town that are well done. Be sure to see the Farmhouse Museum which was built in 1616 and showcases tools and artifacts of rural life. The City Museum chronicles the history of the town from the Neolithic Age forward, and the Library houses an impressive art collection.
