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Baden-Baden

Baden-Baden

Baden-Baden, a scenic spa town located in the state of Baden-Württemberg in southwestern Germany, has a population of around 55,000 inhabitants. Situated on the banks of the little river Oos, this magical location is at the northwest edge of the Black Forest mountain range. Its advantageous position puts it only forty kilometers northeast of the energetic city of Strasbourg and just ten kilometers east of the Rhine, the natural border with France.

When Baden-Baden was included as a transnational UNESCO World Heritage Site, “Great Spa Towns of Europe,” the town’s rich legacy and cultural value became internationally known in 2021. This esteemed title honors the town’s well-known baths and outstanding architecture, which bear witness to the general appeal of European spa towns from the 18th to the 20th century.

Geographically, Baden-Baden is unusual as most of the town is in a valley of the Northern Black Forest but its western areas reach the Upper Rhine Plain. The Black Forest National Park’s tallest mountain, Badener Höhe, rises to an amazing 1,002.5 meters above sea level and defines the varied terrain of the area surrounding Baden-Baden.

The town’s design is a study in contrasts: the main resorts, built since the 19th century, dominate the opposite shore while the ancient town elegantly rises the right bank of the Oos River. For decades people have been enthralled with this combination of ancient beauty and contemporary conveniences.

The great number of natural springs in Baden-Baden is among its most outstanding qualities. The region has 29 such springs, ranging in temperature from a mild 46°C to a steamy 67°C. Rich in mineral salts, these hot waters come from artesian wells one 1,800 meters below Florentine hill. With the water carefully directed via a network of pipes to provide the town’s renowned baths, the springs generate an amazing flow rate of 341 liters per minute.

The adjacent Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport helps with transportation from and to Baden-Baden. Although mostly servicing Baden-Baden, this regional center also meets the needs of Karlsruhe. Second-largest airport in Baden-Württemberg, only exceeded by Stuttgart Airport, it is vital for the connectivity of the area. With about 1.1 million passengers handled in 2016, the airport confirmed its ranking as Germany’s eighteenth busiest airport. Since the facility mostly concentrates on low-cost carriers and leisure flights, it is a necessary gateway for both business and leisure visitors.

Eleven separate districts make up Baden-Baden’s administrative system, and each one adds to the town’s varied appeal. These districts comprise BalgEbersteinburgHauenebersteinInnenstadt (city center), Lichtental (which covers Oberbeuern and Geroldsau), NeuweierOosSandweierSteinbachVarnhalt, and Weststadt. Beyond these formal divisions, the town is peppered with several residential neighborhoods and hamlets, some of which are somewhat scattered and accentuate the natural beauty of the town.

Baden-Baden’s local government is set-up to provide effective representation and management. Each of the districts of EbersteinburgHaueneberstein, and Sandweier keeps their own local government together with a specific local mayor. Under a joint administration known as Rebland, which also is supervised by a local mayor, the districts of SteinbachNeuweier, and Varnhalt have integrated their local governance in a show of administrative efficiency.

One intriguing geographical oddity of Baden-Baden’s urban scene is the existence of three empty exclaves connected to the nearby Sinzheim municipality. Among these is the old Fremersberg monastery estate, a reminder of the intricate territorial configurations that over millennia have molded the area.

Economically, Baden-Baden has shown itself to be a regional powerhouse. With a per capita GDP of 52,234 euros, the city had a GDP overall in 2016 of 2.833 billion euros. This number highlights the town’s economic life as it far exceeds the national average of Germany (38,180 euros) and the regional average of Baden-Württemberg (43,632 euros). Reflecting a strong and growing economy, the city’s economic production saw a nominal increase of 1.7 percent that same year.

With about 41,400 people working in the city in 2016, employment numbers further support Baden-Baden’s economic strength. Although the 4.6 percent unemployment rate in December 2018 was somewhat higher than the Baden-Württemberg average of 3.0 percent, by national and international criteria it is still rather low.

Several assessments have shown the town’s economic future to be very favorable. Out of 402 entities, Baden-Baden ranked 93rd in the 2016 “Future Atlas,” evaluating the future viability of German districts and cities, thus firmly among the sites with great future prospects. Rising to the 67th position out of 401, the town’s standing grew even more in the 2019 edition of the same survey, therefore confirming its place with “high future prospects.”

The character and economics of Baden-Baden rely much on its status as a spa town. For both those living in the city and tourists, it provides a great range of events and attractions. With world-class facilities spread over the region, sports aficionados may enjoy golf and tennis. Prominent horse races in May, August, and October held at the neighboring Iffezheim racetrack attract riders from all around Europe.

Outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike find Baden-Baden to be really enticing. The surrounding landscape offers perfect conditions for mountain climbing and trekking, therefore enabling guests to fully appreciate the magnificent Black Forest. The area becomes a well-liked skiing resort in the winter because of its array of slopes fit for different degrees of ability.

With so many museums and historical landmarks, the town presents equally remarkable cultural value. With its sophisticated Kurgarten, the Kurhaus becomes the main point for cultural activities like the yearly Baden-Baden Summer Nights with live classical music concerts. Among others, art lovers could visit the Staatliche Kunsthalle Baden-Baden, the Museum Frieder Burda (home of one of Germany’s most sizable collection of contemporary art), and the Fabergé Museum.

From the remnants of Roman baths unearthed in 1847 to the grand New Castle, which today houses a history museum, Baden-Baden is rife with historical sites. Second-largest festival hall in Europe, the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden is evidence of the town’s dedication to the performing arts.

Euro (€) (EUR)

Currency

1st century AD (as Roman bath)

Founded

+49 7221

Calling code

57,025

Population

140.18 km2 (54.12 sq mi)

Area

German

Official language

181 m (594 ft)

Elevation

CET (UTC+1) / CEST (UTC+2)

Time zone

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