The small town of Baden, about twenty kilometres south of Vienna, is famous for its sulphur-rich thermal springs. Their medicinal properties were known to the ancient Romans as early as the 1^st century BC. In the reign of Emperor Joseph II, Baden became a famous health resort frequented by members of the Court and aristocracy. Their example was soon followed by the bourgeoisie as well. At the beginning of the 19^th century, the town was rebuilt in the Biedermeier style according to the concepts of Joseph Kornhäusel, a famous Viennese architect of the period. To this day, the town has retained a certain charm of the memories of the imperial era.