Marktplatz (Market Square), Baden Baden

Market Square, situated around the imposing Collegiate Church, serves as a central hub in Baden-Baden, providing access to notable landmarks like the Old Steambath and the Town Hall. The square's charm is further enhanced by a historic fountain, and visitors can ascend the stairs in the north-western corner to reach a terrace adjacent to the New Castle, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the city and Old Town.

Dating back to the 1st century AD, the Romans initiated the construction of baths on the plateau near the hot springs, with the spa activities centered around the market square and extending to what is now Römerplatz. In 1847, the discovery of four baths adorned with marble and greenish granite on the north side of the Stiftskirche led to their designation as the Imperial Baths, owing to the high-quality interior and an inscription by the Roman Emperor Caracalla (188–217). The layout of these baths is intricately outlined in color on the paving of the market square.

Over the years, the market square has been a focal point for the town's weekly markets, serving as the heart of urban life. The northern and eastern parts of the square have witnessed the presence of buildings since the Middle Ages. The Höllengasse, located at the foot of the Florentinerberg, has been built over, and the Gasthaus Rose, which once stood in the middle of the square, marked the boundary toward the market square.

During the Middle Ages, the eastern part of the square, extending to the Monastery of the Holy Grave, formed the core of the bathing area. This area housed outdoor baths at the exit of the thermal spas, freely accessible to locals and the less fortunate, along with bathing hostels for external guests.

The transformation of the market square accelerated in the 20th century, resulting in the demolition of the Gasthaus Rose in 1937. By 1970, all houses on the Höllengasse were removed to safeguard the thermal springs, leading to the creation of a new green space along the old Höllengasse for the Horticultural Show of 1981.