September 2025
Last Friday (12th September), the Minister of State Development and Housing, which heads the World Heritage Sites in Baden-Württemberg, inaugurated the first set of the so-called WahreWunderBänke in Baden-Baden, Germany.
WahreWunderBänke (Witty Wonder Benches) are benches with informational panels, showing a map of all seven World Heritage Sites in Baden-Württemberg.
Baden-Baden is one of the three German towns in The Great Spa Towns of Europe UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nestled on the edge of the Black Forest, it is known for its historic thermal baths, elegant architecture and proximity to the picturesque landscape of the Black Forest, alongside a vibrant arts and culture offerings, including the Museum Frieder Burda, Festival Hall and the majestic Casino Baden-Baden.
These benches promote and connect the state’s World Heritage Sites. The goal is to jointly preserve the cultural and architectural heritage, connect all the sites and make heritage more accessible to the public. WahreWunderBänke can be installed at all seven World Heritage sites in Baden-Württemberg as a symbol of the sites’ interconnectedness and as an attractive recognition feature.
Minister Nicole Razavi MdL said: “With the WahreWunderBänken we are creating places of encounter. Especially here in Baden-Baden, where recreation and culture are so closely intertwined, they invite people to pause, let their gaze wander and enjoy our homeland.”
Alexander Wieland, First Mayor of Baden-Baden, said: “The new True Wonder Benches enrich our city with additional places where locals and visitors can linger, learn more, and experience Baden-Baden’s special cultural and spa tradition. This will be a visible symbol of this, especially on the venerable market square, which we want to revitalize even more. In this way, we will make our World Heritage Site even more accessible to everyone and, at the same time, make our city even more attractive.”
Professor Dr. Claus Wolf, President of the State Office for Monument Preservation in the Stuttgart Regional Council, emphasised: “UNESCO World Heritage Sites are monuments that have universal significance for all of humanity. Therefore, the World Heritage designation is both an honour and an obligation, which the State Monument Preservation Office is happy to accept. The new multifunctional benches are a great support in this regard, as they are ideal places for conveying the World Heritage concept.”
In addition to the WahreWunderBänken, more measures and products are being developed that can be implemented and implemented at all World Heritage sites in Baden-Württemberg. These include an image film, an exhibition and a brochure.
Find out more from the press release from the official website of Baden‑Württemberg, linked here.
Photos Courtesy of the Municipality of Baden-Baden.