Baden-Baden (dpa/lsw) - The Unesco World Heritage City of Baden-Baden can now ceremonially adorn itself with it almost a year after the award. On Saturday, the Permanent Representative of Germany at Unesco, Ambassador Peter Reuss, presented the World Heritage Certificate for "The Important Spa Towns of Europe" to the outgoing Mayor Margret Mergen and the Minister responsible for regional development, Nicole Razavi (both CDU).
"The idea for an application came about in 2006 and over the years was characterized by the great commitment of everyone involved and the citizenry," Mergen looked back at the celebrations. "I am incredibly proud that we have achieved this goal together." Razavi also said that the joy of UNESCO's decision was still huge. The "world heritage family" in the southwest has now grown to seven members and ranges from prehistoric pile dwellings on Lake Constance to the architectural work of Le Corbusier in the Weißenhofsiedlung in Stuttgart: "There's something for everyone!"
On Pentecost Sunday, a festival is planned throughout the city center to mark World Heritage Day. The program includes a panel discussion on the topic "World Heritage! And now?".
World Heritage Day is celebrated every year on the first Sunday in June. There are events in all 51 World Heritage Sites in Germany. In addition, the World Heritage Convention of the UN special organization Unesco is celebrating its 50th birthday this year. The international convention aims to better protect the world's natural and cultural heritage.
In July 2021, Baden-Baden was awarded World Heritage status along with ten other European cities under the motto "Great Spa Towns of Europe" - the most important spa towns in Europe. They see themselves as spa towns that gained international importance from the late 18th century to the early 20th century. Urban planning is geared towards medical, therapeutic and social functions around natural thermal water sources.
Bad Ems in Rhineland-Palatinate and Bad Kissingen in Bavaria were among the German cities that have now been awarded the prize. The World Heritage title is intended, among other things, to boost tourism.
