To the south of Stuttgart, the capital of the state of Baden-Württemberg, is the regional centre of Leinfelden-Echterdingen. To the west and south lie the large wooded area of the Schönbuch Nature Park and the Siebenmühlental Valley with many historic flour mills and sawmills which have now been mostly converted into lovely cosy inns for daytrippers. The municipal area includes Stuttgart International Airport. Echterdingen made the headlines across the world in August 1908 when Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin landed in his mighty airship, LZ 4, on a meadow near the town – the first landing of an airship on solid ground. That very day, however, the Zeppelin was totally destroyed in a thunderstorm. The Zeppelin memorial is a reminder of this historic event.
Proud churches with a rich history define the skyline of Leinfelden-Echterdingen, including the Church of our Dear Lady with its mighty 52 metre tower dating from the 16th century, and the Church of the Holy Trinity, also built in the 16th century. The half-timbered town hall dating from around 1500 is an enchanting sight. The nationally renowned Filderhalle exhibition and conference centre was built on Bahnhofstrasse Street to the north of the town centre in 1958. It was extended in 1979 and in its Great Hall it has a stage with an orchestra pit, a sports hall, a restaurant and bowling alleys. It also hosts conferences and conventions.
One very unusual attraction for your trip is the German Playing Cards Museum on Schönbuchstrasse Street in the south of Leinfelden-Echterdingen, which opened in 1974. It is part of the Württemberg State Museum. The museum boasts the largest collection of playing cards in Europe. It includes 15,000 packs of cards and over 500,000 individual cards to amaze visitors to the museum. The pièce de résistance is the Asian Indian pack of cards which is one of the most beautiful in the world. Just as interesting is the Fire Service Museum in the district of Musberg. Historical fire extinguishers, fire carts, fire hose carts, and old fire engines are fascinating for old and young alike. Go on a short trip to Stuttgart Airport as well to visit the Albatross Aviation Museum with its fantastic "flying machines" such as the biggest single engine biplane in the world or the Junkers F-13, the first passenger aircraft.
A popular day trip destination during a visit to Leinfelden-Echterdingen is the Mäulesmühle Mill in the Siebenmühlental Valley with its pretty half-timbered house. The machinery of the water mill, which dates from 1383, was taken out of service in 1945. Another attraction at the mill is the Komede-Scheuer Barn which houses a popular Swabian folk theatre. Visit the mill museum as well: it has lovingly restored exhibits relating to the miller's craft and treat yourself in the organic food restaurant next door.
