"Baden-Baden" a Baden-Baden Travel Page by Kathrin_E

The healing powers of the hot springs were already known to the ancient Romans who named the place "Aquae" - waters. In the 19th century Baden-Baden became the summer capital of Europe where the powerful, the rich and the important (and those who wanted to be) met for the holidays.

The late 19th century, the belle epoque, has formed the appearance of the town till today: elegant hotels and villas, the parks along the river Oos and Lichtenthaler Allee, the spa hall and the casino, upscale shops...

One can spend a lot of money in Baden-Baden. On the other hand, the atmosphere, the walk along the river and through the lovely parks, people-watching in town, sampling the water from the hot spring, all this is free, so Baden-Baden has something to offer for the shoestring traveller, too.

In the late middle ages the castle named Baden (the ruins now known as Hohenbaden) became the centre and residence of the Marggraves who named themselves after the castle. When the house of Baden split up in two lines, the one that stayed here named itself "Baden-Baden", the other one "Baden-Durlach" (later the founders of Karlsruhe).

The town's name remained "Baden" until people noticed that they were frequently mixed up with the just as famous spa of Baden bei Wien in Austria. The resolution was made to use the Marggraves' name of "Baden-Baden" from then on to distinguish the towns.

By the way, my dear victims of abbreviationitis, allow me to mention that "BB" is NOT a common code for Baden-Baden among locals - BB is the car number plate of Böblingen, a town near Stuttgart.

How about a romantic ride along Lichtenthaler Allee?