Christmas Markets in Baden-Baden

Baden-Baden's origins trace to the Roman era, when the settlement Aquae Aureliae was established around natural hot springs used for bathing and recuperation. The city rose to European prominence in the 19th century as a favored retreat for aristocracy, royalty, and cultural figures, earning a reputation as the summer capital of Europe. Writers including Dostoevsky and Turgenev spent time here, and the city's elegant architecture and thermal culture reflect that era. Baden-Baden was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Great Spa Towns of Europe in 2021, recognizing its exceptional preservation of spa culture and urban heritage.