Austria, Baden

Baden is a spa town and medieval city in Lower Austria, 26 kilometres south of Vienna, with a population of 25,207 (2005). Frequently, the name is given as Baden bei Wien (Baden near Vienna); this name, however, is not official, but can be used to distinguish it from other cities of the same name such as Baden-Baden or Baden, Switzerland.

Economy & Culture

Baden is situated at the mouth of the romantic Helenental, on the banks of the Schwechat, and used to be the principal summer resort of the wealthy inhabitants of Vienna, the neighbouring capital. It possesses a Kurhaus, fifteen bathing-establishments, a parish church in late Gothic style, and a town-hall, which contains archives. The warm baths, which gave name to the town, are thirteen in number, with a temperature of from 22° C (72° F) to 36° C (97° F), and contain, as chief ingredient, sulphate of lime. They rise for the most part at the foot of the Calvarienberg (1070 ft.), which is composed of dolomitic limestone, and are mostly used for bathing purposes. Baden is surrounded by about 120 vineyards and has about 70 wine pubs (Heurigen).

Points of interest

The celebrity of Baden dates back to the days of the Romans, who knew it by the name of Thermae Pannonicae, and remains of their occupation still exist.

Several members of the Austrian imperial family had made Baden their summer residence and have built here beautiful villas. Baden possesses several parks and is surrounded by lovely and interesting spots, of which the most frequented is the picturesque valley of the Helenental, which is traversed by the Schwechat.

The famous composer Ludwig van Beethoven stayed a number of times in Baden, and many of his residences can still be seen today.