Europe Travel Guide

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. Not far from Baden, the valley is crossed by the magnificent aqueduct of the Vienna waterworks. At the entrance to the valley, on the right bank of the river, lie the ruins of the 12th century castle of Rauheneck, and at its foot stands the Chteau Weilburg, built in 1820-1825 by Archduke Charles, the victor of Aspern. On the left bank, just opposite, stands the ruined castle of Rauhenstein, dating also from the 12th century. About 4 m. up the valley is Mayerling, a hunting-lodge, where Crown Prince Rudolph of Austria was found dead in 1889. Farther up is Alland, whence a road leads to the old and well-preserved abbey of Heiligenkreuz. It possesses a church, in Romanesque style, dating from the 11th century, with fine cloisters and the tombs of several members of the Babenberg family. The highest point in the neighbourhood of Baden is the peak of the Hoher Lindkogel (2825 ft.), popularly called Eisernes Tor (iron gate), which is ascended in about three hours.

The celebrity of Baden dates back to the days of the Romans, who knew it by the name of Thersnae Pannonicae, and remains of their occupation still exist. It received its charter as a town in 1480, and although sacked at various times by Hungarians and Turks, it soon flourished again.