It doesn’t make a difference if you prefer beauties of the nature or cultural highlights – you will find plenty of both attractions on your sightseeing tour through this historical spa town.
Baden is a spa town in Austria. It serves as the capital of Baden District in the state of Lower Austria. Located about 26 km (16 mi) south of Vienna, the municipality consists of cadastral areas Baden, Braiten, Gamingerhof, Leesdorf, Mitterberg, Rauhenstein, and Weikersdorf.
Welcome to Baden bei Wien
Baden is located at the mouth of the Schwechat River’s St Helena Valley (Helenental) in the Vienna Woods (Wienerwald) range. It takes its name from the area’s 13 hot springs, which vary in temperature from 72 to 97 °F (22 to 36 °C) and contain lime sulphate. They lie for the most part at the foot of Mt Calvary (Calvarienberg; 1,070 ft or 326 m).
The highest point in the area is the Iron Gate (Eisernes Tor or Hoher Lindkogel), whose 2,825 ft (861 m) can be ascended in about three hours.
With its sulphurous mineral springs and lush green parks, gardens and woods, this spa town on the eastern fringes of the Wienerwald is a picturesque anachronism.
Baden has a long history of receiving notable visitors; the Romans came here to wallow in the medicinal waters, Beethoven blew into town in the hope of a cure for his deafness, and in the early 19th century it flourished as the favourite summer retreat of the Habsburgs. Much of the town centre is in the 19th-century Biedermeier style. Note that Baden goes into virtual hibernation between October and March.
St. Stephan
Stadtpfarrkirche
It is believed that a church was built here already around 1200. The development of the church building ran through the different epochs. The characteristic, baroque onion-shaped dome was built in 1697 after the Turkish wars. Inside the church there are some remarkable artworks. Especially worth mentioning is the church organ from 1744, on which the famous Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart played already during some masses in St. Stephen’s church.
Römertherme
Already 2000 years ago the ancient Romans appreciated the hot sulphur springs in Baden. Today you can enjoy the healing sulphur water in the modern Spa Römertherme and relax on 900 m² water surface.A special feature of the Römertherme is the huge glass roof over the two large main pools, the vitality pool and the sports pool. In the outside area you will find a pool with the healing sulphur water from the springs of Baden. The well-known spa is daily open from 9:00 – 22:00 o’clock.
Josefsplatz
The Josefsplatz is a beautifully designed traffic junction in the town center of Baden. Beside the terminus of the Badner Bahn you can find here the bus stop for numerous bus lines. At the Josefsplatz you will find some restaurants and a small pedestrian area. This area is often used for events and markets. During the Advent season, for example, some punch stands are placed here. The Frauenbad is also located directly at the Josefsplatz. It was mentioned in a document the first time in the 13th century. The current appearance dates back to 1821. You can recognize the building due to the big columns in the front. Today there is the Arnulf Rainer museum inside the building.
Stadttheater
Since the early 17th century the theater tradition has been an important part of the cultural scene in Baden. Since that time, various theater buildings have been constructed on the Theaterplatz. The present building was completed in 1909. Currently, various concerts and stage plays are shown directly in the theater. The Sommerarena belongs to the Stadttheater and is located in the Kurpark above the Casino building. From around mid-June to the beginning of September, mainly operettas are performed there.
