Baden-Baden

Baden-Baden () is a spa town with around 50,000 inhabitants in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is at the border of the Rhine valley and the Black Forest. The town is well known as a spa town, as a place for rich people and for many cultural offers. In the 19th century the town played an important role as a meeting place for the nobles, rich and other important people. A rich cultural heritage from that time can still be found at Baden-Baden.

 History 
The springs of Baden-Baden were known to the Romans, and the foundation of the town is referred to the emperor Hadrian by an inscription of somewhat doubtful authenticity. The name of Aurelia Aquensis was given to it in honour of Aurelius Severus, in whose reign it would seem to have been well known. Fragments of its ancient sculptures are still to be seen, and in 1847 remains of Roman vapour baths, well preserved, were discovered just below the New Castle.

In 1931, the town of Baden-Baden was officially given its double name (a short form for "Baden in Baden", i.e. Baden in the state of Baden). In both World Wars, the town escaped destruction. After World War II, Baden-Baden became the headquarters of the French forces in Germany and the site of a displaced persons camp.

From September 23 to September 28, 1981, the 11th Olympic Congress took place in the Kurhaus in Baden-Baden.

The Baden Airpark is  west of Baden-Baden.

The Russian writer Dostoevsky wrote "The Gambler" while gambling at the famous Baden-Baden Casino.

 Sights 
 Kurhaus
 The Casino
 Friedrichsbad
 Caracalla Spa
 Lichtentaler Allee, a well known 19th century park
 Sammlung Frieder Burda
 Old Castle "Hohenbaden", built in 1102, the first residence of the margraves of Baden, a ruin since the 15th century
 New Castle, former residence of the margraves of Baden
 The famous Festspielhaus Baden-Baden
 Ruins of Roman baths, ca. 2000 years old, excavated in 1847
  Stiftskirche, a church including the tombs of fourteen margraves of Baden
 "The Paradise" (Paradies), an Italian style Renaissance garden with lots of trick fountains
 Mount Merkur with Merkurbergbahn funicular railway and observation tower
 Fremersberg Tower
 Fabergé Museum

 References 

 Other websites 

 Official site 
 Castle Hohenbaden  
 "Art and Nightlife Have Baden-Baden Percolating Again", New York Times, July 9, 2006


Category:Spa towns in Germany