2024 Christmas Markets Rhine River Cruise - Day 4 - Baden-Baden, Germany
12 December 2024
We had a short bus ride toward town, and a walk through a garden park toward the Casino and shopping area where the Christmas Market is. Before long, we were at the Trinkhalle's (Pump House's) beautiful open colonnade filled with frescoes, and this time of year, Christmas Market stalls.
The Trinkhalle was completed in 1842 and was designed by Heinrich Hübsch, a prominent architect of the time. It was a central hub where illustrious visitors to Baden-Baden, seeking time in the healing spa waters, would meet.
Aside from it's hot, spring fed spa's, Baden-Baden is known for its Casino.
We saw one of the oldest businesses in Baden-Baden, the Alte Hof Apohtheke. Apotheke, or apothecary in English is a drug store. Our guide called our attention to the coat of arms displayed above the door. The red stripe across it indicates that the rulers of Baden-Baden had the authority to have people committing crimes within its borders executed!
Some of the stores in Baden-Baden really went all out with the Christmas decorating. Some could rival National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation at least in volume of decorations per square foot.
We had a quick stop at a place Dostoyevsky stayed at while in Baden-Baden. It seems he was a notorious gambler, and as we know, the house always wins in the end. He did not come out a winner.
The area has been renowned for its hot springs since Ancient Roman times and visitors can soak in geothermal heated spring water from the same sources the Romans used at Friedrichsbad Spa.
After the walking tour, we had some time to visit the Christmas Market at Baden-Baden, which was by far the best we had visited. It was very well laid out, with many, many booths to visit, but with ample space for walking between the sets of booths.
Baden-Baden was a hit for us, and we've been in the summer as well and liked it then too. We're not much into gambling, but the city still has a lot to offer.
Next stop, Strassbourg!