A small town in the southwest of the Black Forest in Germany, Baden-Baden has been known for centuries for its thermal springs, discovered by the ancient Romans. Nowadays, the possibility of pleasant water treatment and healing, as well as the attractions in Baden-Baden, attract hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.
Attractions in Baden-Baden
The city is considered one of the most famous European resorts. Famous even in ancient times, when the Romans built thermae here, Baden-Baden since the 17th century has become a city of rest for European nobility, aristocrats, writers and composers.
Turgenev, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Gogol, Goncharov lived here, the royal family of the Romanovs rested here. An Orthodox church has been operating in the city since the end of the 19th century.
The popularity of the resort was promoted by baths and pump rooms with healing water, amazing mountain air, the oldest gambling houses in Europe, the proximity of France (the border is just 10 km from the resort), an abundance of pleasant cafes and restaurants with French cuisine.
The mild climate - the absence of summer heat and frost in winter - allows you to spend time pleasantly throughout the year, but the largest number of visitors is observed from May to October.
At this time, many entertainment events, festivals, open-air concerts are held in Baden-Baden near the pavilions with springs.
Some interesting facts about the resort
Initially, the town was simply called Baden, but since there are cities of the same name in Austria and Switzerland, since 1931 it was named Baden-Baden, which means “Baden in Baden”, that is, the one located in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg.
The resort was built on the site of ancient antique baths. The Roman baths were called Aurelia-Akvenziz - their ruins are one of the city's attractions.
- 1870s of the XIX century: with the participation of Strauss, Saint-Saens, Caruso, the musical traditions of Baden develop.
- In 1913, a funicular appeared, taking those who wish to Mount Merkur.
- After the Second World War, from 1945 to 1949, Baden-Baden was part of the French occupation zone and was its capital.
- In 1950, the first post-war season opened, and 12 years later, construction began on the Caracallé Term - the famous spa baths (opened in 1985).
In 2007, Baden-Baden celebrated 500 years since it was awarded the status of a city.
What to see
Arriving in the city, you can see a lot without a guide. Here's what to look out for.
Most holidaymakers start their morning with a walk along the Lichtenthal Allee - among the luxurious flower beds and century-old trees. Aristocrats have long walked here: Trubetskoy, Volkonsky, representatives of the royal dynasties of Europe, famous artists, painters, writers.
In the center of the city there is a hill with the ruins of the castle where the rulers of Baden lived. From here you can admire the city panorama.
The pedestrian area around the central square is full of sights:
- The Faberge Museum is one of the most visited by tourists. Among the exhibits there are 700 works of the great master.
- Many are attracted by the Stiftskirche church, built 7 centuries ago. Tourists will appreciate the luxurious decoration of the temple and the 6-meter crucifixion of Christ.
- You can visit the water cascade "Paradise", located in an exotic park - this is an ideal place for leisurely walks.
Hot springs in Baden-Baden
Wellness complexes on thermal waters offer a variety of options for bathing and beauty treatments, massages, inhalations.
Baths of Caracalla
Almost in the center of the city is the modern complex Caracalla Therme. Address: Römerpl. 1, 76530 Baden-Baden.
From the station to the thermal baths, you need to take bus No. 205 in the direction of Baden-Baden Merkurwald (about half an hour on the way) or No. 244 to Loffenau Marktplatz (about a quarter of an hour on the way). The ticket price is 2.40 euros.
The complex is open daily from 8.00 to 22.00. It is closed on Christmas (December 24, 25), and on New Year's Eve, the last entry of visitors is allowed at 18.30.
Experts say that the waters of Caracalla promote regeneration in the body, improve metabolism, relax muscles, and relieve stress.
The thermal complex offers an indoor pool with hydromassage. In addition to it, there are two outdoor swimming pools. Water temperature + 38 ° С.
There are hot and cold grottoes, sauna, steam room, inhalation, solarium. Paid massages, cosmetic procedures, peeling, wraps are carried out.
The cost of a single ticket is 15 euros for 1.5 hours, 16 euros - for 2 hours, 19 euros - for 3. For the whole day you need to pay 23 euros.
Baths Friedrichsbad
500 meters from the Caracalla baths there is an old building of the 18th century - the Friedrichsbad baths. Lovers of special bath rituals come here.
Address: Römerpl. 1, 76530, Baden-Baden. They work from 9.00 to 22.00 (the last visitors are admitted at 20.00).
The saunas are closed on December 24 and 25, on December 31 the working day is reduced by 2 hours. To get there in the same way as to the Caracalla term.
Baths in Friedrichsbad accept water procedures in 17 stages. Warm shower, rest in rooms with warm and then hot air, shower again, soapy massage. Then warm and hot baths, pool, hydromassage, cool pool. In the halls there are signs indicating the time of the procedure.
A full set of services costs 49 euros for 4 hours, for 3.5 hours - 37 euros. Package without massage for 3 hours - 25 euros.
If in Caracalla they bathe and take procedures in swimsuits, then in Friedrichsbad they are completely naked.
Monday, Thursday, Saturday - days of separate bathing for men and women, who then still meet in the common pool, completing the procedure. On other days, everyone swims together and naked.
Children under 14 years old are not allowed to enter Friedrichsbad, but there is a children's room (5 euros per baby) where you can leave your baby while you swim.
City museums in Baden-Baden
Free time allows visitors to the city to visit the most popular and interesting places.
The Museum of Contemporary Art of the XX-XXI centuries - the collection of Frieder Burda, in which there are up to 1000 exhibits: paintings and sculptures - is located on the Lichtentalska alley. The building is inscribed in the surrounding landscape, excellently illuminated in the evening. The ticket costs 13 euros.
The Faberge Museum is the world's only museum collection of works by a famous jeweler: eggs, snuff boxes, watches. One of the most expensive museums in the city - a ticket costs 24 euros.
City Museum (Stadtisches Museum) - a place near the Burda building, where items from excavations, ancient coins and handicrafts, models of railways, collections of old dolls and toys are collected.
Find out more about what Germany's museums have to offer.
Architectural monuments: what attracts interest
In 1842, the main building of Baden Kurhaus (spa house) was decorated with an extension called Trinkhalle - drinking hall. This is an arcade that allows you to take leisurely walks and drink healing water in any weather. Frescoes on the walls depicting plots of Black Forest fairy tales, comfortable benches, pump rooms - all this creates a resort atmosphere.
The Dostoevsky monument is located in a park near the thermal baths of Caracalla. The writer stands barefoot on the globe, and his gaze is turned to the casino, where he was repeatedly played. The author is the sculptor L. Baranov.
The New Castle - the former residence of the Margraves of Baden for almost 500 years, is located on the Florentine mountain, near the Old Market.
Address: Schloßstraße 22, 76530. Currently, the palace is being rebuilt into a hotel, it can only be viewed from the outside.
The old castle, built by the Baden margraves over 900 years ago, is named Hohenbaden. Remains of it are ruins - towers, ditches, walls. A wonderful view opens up from the tops of the ruins.
Address: Alter Schloßweg 10, 76532. Entrance to the territory is free, but you are asked to donate as much as possible for the restoration of the castle. Entrance from 10.00 to 22.00.
Temples and places of worship
The Lichtenthal convent of the Cistercian order has existed in Baden since the 13th century, and since then the buildings and stained-glass windows have survived. Address: Hauptstrasse 40. The monastery stands at the end of the Lichtentalska alley promenade.
Distance from the center is about 2.5 km. Bus number 201 approaches the monastery.
Admission is free, but since the monastery is active, you cannot enter the churches during the service, make noise, look into all the premises. Concerts are often held on the territory, the cost of tickets for which is from 12 to 18 euros.
Stiftskirche is the oldest building in the city, it is about 700 years old. The temple was rebuilt in the late Gothic style. The church is active, here you can listen to the organ. Kirhu can be seen from all parts of the old city - it has a high bell tower with a clock. Address: Marktplatz 15, 76530.
The Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord began to function in Baden in an adapted room as early as 1859, and in 1882 a special building was built for it with donations from the Russian community of the city. A modest building with a golden onion dome is located at Lichtentaler Str. 76, 76530, north of Lichtentalská avenue.
Find out more about what temples, cathedrals and mosques exist in Germany
Theater and concert activities in Baden-Baden
One of the most famous concert venues in the world, the Festspielhaus, is located in Baden-Baden. It is the largest opera house in Germany and can accommodate 2,500 people.
Opera performances here are often staged in collaboration with the Metropolitan Opera (New York) or the Paris Opera. Located in the city center, address: Beim Alten Bahnhof 2 76530. Tickets cost from 24 euros.
Theater Baden-Baden - a theater venue on Goethe Square, near the Burda Museum, was built at the end of the 19th century on the model of the Paris Opera. The best European drama and opera groups often go on tour here.
Are the ticket offices located at Bäderstraße? 2 (Dostoevsky House). Tickets cost from 12 to 40-45 euros, depending on the location.
Why the surroundings of Baden-Baden are attractive
To the southwest of the city lies the famous Rebland - Land of the Vine. Black Forest mountains, the Rhine valley, vineyards - these stunning landscapes can enchant even those who have traveled a lot around the world.
World famous grape varieties are grown here: blue spatburgunder, riesling, müller-thurgau. Wine festivals are held in the villages of Steinbach and Warngalt.
An old fortress is visible high on the Iberg mountain. You can go up to it by road - from here you can even see the silhouette of the Strasbourg Cathedral. Great place for hiking. From Burda Museum to Rebland you can take bus no. 216.
Ancient Gernsbach, founded in the 13th century, is located fifteen kilometers from Baden. The town is famous for its architecture.
From the center, by car or on foot, you can climb to the Eberstein Castle. After admiring the stunning views of the Murgskaya Valley, go down to the basement of the castle - there is a restaurant where you can dine and buy excellent wine. You can get there by bus number 244 from Mount Merkur.
How to organize excursions in Baden-Baden: tips and tricks
You can get to Baden-Baden by plane from Stuttgart or Frankfurt am Main. There is a direct flight from Moscow.
Leaving the terminal, go to the bus stop (route number 205), which will take you to the center. From Stuttgart, you can also take the train, which runs around the clock to Baden-Baden.
You can stay in hotels, guest houses, for example Aqua Aurelia Suitenhotel an den Thermen 4 *, located next to the baths of Caracalla.
In walking distance from all attractions is the Hotel Deutscher Kaiser im Centrum 3 *.
The cost of living in the Hotel am Friedrichsbad 3 * is 78 euros per night for two with breakfast. Address: Gernsbacher Str. 26, 76530
You can rent a car. Renting a Peugeot 308 class car for a week will cost about 200 euros.
A coffee and a burger in a cafe will cost about 10 euros. In supermarkets you can take:
- grilled chicken - 5-6 euros;
- bread - 1 euro;
- yoghurts - 1 euro;
- Mascarpone cheese in jars - 2 euros;
- good wine from 10 euros.
You can come to the casino for a tour from 10.00 to 11.30, the cost is 7 euros.
The bus fare in Gernsbach is 4.5 euros one way. The entrance to the tasting room is free, wine costs from 8.5 euros.
Conclusion
The resort capital of Europe, as Baden-Baden is sometimes called, is becoming more accessible every year. Today, not only descendants of aristocratic families or popular artists, but also ordinary people who want to get a European level of rest and recovery, are undergoing treatment and rest here.
Come to Baden-Baden for at least a few days at any time of the year - you will definitely fall in love with this town in the south of Germany and will return to it more than once.
