History

Recent History

Today Baden-Baden is the German grande dame of German spas...and high-rolling casinos. But perhaps your pleasure lies in the good ol' grape: well, the local Kaiserstuhl area produces renowned burgundies and pinot gris. Food is also on fire in Baden-Baden and neighbouring influences are evident, for example there's the popular French snail soup (Schneckensuppe), Swiss veal slices (Geschnetzeltes) and Italian pasta with Spätzle (egg-noodle).

Modern Day History

Baden-Baden was officially named such (a short form for Baden in the state of Baden) in 1931.

1939 brought WWII but Baden-Baden escaped damage. At war's end in 1945, America took over the north of Baden state and France took over the south. (Baden-Baden became the HQ for French troops in Germany and hosted a significant camp for displaced persons.) After a 1951 referendum, Baden state was absorbed into the new state of Baden-Württemberg.

In the 1950s and 60s Baden-Baden's spas became popular with European nobility. In 1985 a new spa called the Caracalla-Therme opened, attracting even more people with its pools, water grottoes and whirlpools.

In 1995 the margravial line of Baden-Baden had such cash flow problems that they auctioned off the furnishings and art of their palace residence, the Renaissance Neues Schloss (Schlossstrasse).

In September 1981 Baden-Baden hosted the Olympic Congress XI.

Pre 20th Century History

From Queen Victoria to the Vanderbilts, from Bismarck to Brahms and Berlioz, the royal, the rich, the renowned and the moneyed wannabees all came to Baden-Baden. Why? The spas and the casino.

People have frequented Baden-Baden since Roman times; primarily bathing in the hot mineral springs and drinking the curative mineral water. The Romans founded it in AD 3 as a spot for their garrison. The Roman vapour baths were built in Caracalla's reign (AD 211-217) for the military to use, and well-preserved ruins exist today. The Romans would have felt at home; just like Rome, this idyllic enclave at the foot of the Black Forest was built on a group of picturesque hills.

In the Middle Ages Baden-Baden was simply called Baden, having got its name in 1112 because of resident Hermann Zähringen calling himself Margrave of Baden. From this time until 1705 the town was the margravate of Baden. By the 15th century Baden-Baden was a considerable size; the margraves were a talented bunch of territory-amassers.

Religious differences divided the margraves and in 1535 after much family rivalry Baden was divided into two states: Baden-Baden for the Catholics, and Baden-Durlach for the Evangelicals.

The state of Baden suffered badly during the Thirty Years' War and both religious divisions were exiled in turn.

France attacked the city in 1643 and again in 1689, almost entirely destroying it. When French Revolution refugees used it for asylum it slowly revived.

Charles Frederick of Baden-Durlach, the Ruler of Baden-Baden from 1738, was notable because he united Baden-Baden and reformed the town with the principles of 'enlightened despotism'. He developed agriculture, improved citizens' education and land reform, and overhauled the justice system. In 1806 he raised the state to a grand duchy and by his death in 1811 he had quadrupled the state area of Baden.

The casino was built in Baden-Baden between 1821 and 1824. Fyodor Dostoevsky wrote The Gambler while gambling here. (Today, historic gambling paraphernalia can be seen in the City History Museum.)

In 1877 a new spa (Friedrichsbad) opened; adorned with ornaments and sculptures it helped increase the town's popularity.