Top Rated Attractions in Baden-Baden

A route between the towns of Hundseck and Untersmatt was constructed in 1930, which came to be known as Schwarzwaldhochstrasse. It was extended in 1952 to the cities of Baden-Baden in the north and Freudenstadt to the south to provide an easy access to hotels and scenic spots on the high altitude Black Forest mountains. The 60 kilometer (37 miles) stretch of the road provides a great opportunity for nature trails and winter sports at an altitude that ranges from 700 to 1100 meters (2296 to 3609 feet).

This was the central point of the Conrath development plan, named Conrath after the architect that conceived it, that planned the development of the town from 1870. The victorious German Empire wanted to create a new part of town based on the Haussmann Parisian model with long, wide avenues and monumental buildings. The Place de la République, formerly Place de l'Empereur, is the starting point for the Avenue de la Paix, the Avenue de la Liberté, which leads to the university also built by the Germans, and the old town via the Place Broglie. The square was also conceived as being the central point for several different thing. These were central power because of the Palais Du Rhin, the former Imperial Palace; regional power, because of amongst others the Landtag of Alsace-Lorraine, the former parliamentary assembly that today houses the National Theatre; and German culture, because of the library. These five massive buildings mark out the German presence in the countryside of Strasbourg. In the centre of the square there is a garden, which is full of flowers even in autumn and is home to a statue by Drivier, who was a colleague of Rodin. This sculpture was erected in 1936 in honour of those soldiers who died in World War One.

The 2.3 kilometer (1.42 miles) long Lichtentaler Allee along the river Oos was developed as an exceptional park in the middle of 19th Century. The park is also a well-groomed arboretum with oak trees that have existed for more than 300 years along with various other shrubs and trees. An ideal place for a stroll at any time of the day, the beauty of Gönneranlage (added in 1952), which comprises of a rose garden and fountain, is breathtaking. With a number of hotels and mansions along the avenue and an art museum inside the park, this place makes for a serene green spot in the town.

Located on Wildbader Straße, the Kloster Hirsau dates back to the 9th century and has a rich historical past as one of the most significant Benedictine abbeys in the country. It housed a chapel which was then rebuilt into a church with Roman architecture. The abbey sustained severe damages during the Nine Years' War, and its ruins today draw a multitude of visitors.

Centrally located in the city, the Zentrum für Kunst und Medientechnologie or ZKM is a unique cultural institution dedicated to advancement in the fields of art and media. Located within the sprawling facility, is an array of museums as well as research institutes dedicated to the arts and media. From exploring the fantastic interactive exhibits at the Media Museum to checking out stunning artwork at the Museum of Contemporary Art, visitors will have quite a lot to explore here. The center's main aim of facilitating advancement in arts has certainly taken good shape with a number of top exhibitions and art-related events happening here. Guided tours of the facility are available for visitors who wish to have a better understanding of ZKM.

One of the top attractions of Baden-Baden is the Merkur Funicular Railway. Not only is it a great way to travel up the Merkur Mountain, the railway car also offers breathtaking views of the surrounding region and all the verdant scenery the town has to offer. For a nominal price, the Funicular offers a novel experience.