Tour of Baden's old town

Baden and its eventful history

From the Roman spa town to the progressive industrial city to today's culture and wellness destination.

The Romans discovered the hot springs in the Limmat bend about 2000 years ago and called the adjacent settlement "Aquae Helveticae". Since this discovery, Baden has been known for its healing and mineral-rich thermal water.

When the Confederates reconquered Aargau from the Habsburgs in 1415, Baden became the site of the Tagsatzung. The annual Tagsatzung assemblies brought the "secret capital of the Confederation" prosperity and recognition as a spa town throughout Europe.

In 1847, Baden became the terminus of the first Swiss railway line Zurich-Baden (Spanish Bread Railway). A few years later, the pioneering company Brown, Boveri & Cie (BBC, today's ABB) was founded, helping Baden's industrialisation to further boom.

Today, Baden is known as a diverse cultural city, an important economic and conference location in the greater Zurich area. The new thermal bath perfectly complements the existing thermal water offer and Baden shines as a spa town in new splendour.

Want to discover more stories? The city guide team takes you on a time travel through the city, shows hidden corners, and tells funny anecdotes. Whether on a public tour or a private group tour – let Baden surprise you. More information: City Tours Baden