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The Romans used to bathe here – valuable objects were found on the ground at Kurplatz Baden during construction works in the city.
Historic Verenabad inspires: In Baden there are works in progress, and whenever there are works here, you will find remnants of earlier times. The Romans already made extensive use of the hot springs at Limmatknie in Baden. From the 1st century AD, thermal and medicinal baths were built that made the spa known in the Roman Empire. You can still find evidence of this past in excavations today.
This is a sensational find.
Now the historic Verenabad (2000 years old), altars and a sacred building have been found during construction works on the Kurplatz. Many from the region came on archaeologist tours to see the Verenabad. In addition, a historic outdoor pool will now be on display. Baden is sensational as an excavation site, says Armand Baeriswyl, private professor of medieval archeology and construction research at the University of Bern.
SRF
Sacred building in the thermal bath, why? “Buildings of worship in the immediate vicinity of a hot spring were not uncommon in Roman times, but the rule,” says the canton of Aargau. Examples from Gaul, Germany, or Italy would prove that the use of warm water and ritual activities are closely related. In Baden, a fragment of a monumental inscription was found among the rubble, which is now being examined by experts.
Dispute over findings and time pressure: Since spring, excavation has been going on in the Kurplatz area in Baden. The thermal water pipes are being replaced. The 2,000-year-old Verenabad, which gained fame in the Middle Ages through the legend of St. Verena, was rediscovered and has been something to talk about ever since. Canton archeology and the client at Kurplatz, the city of Baden, have been researching and discussing what to do with the sensational find at Kurplatz. Complete, preserve, investigate, unearth? The problem: time is of the essence.
Time pressure is great because star architect Mario Botta’s large new thermal bath is being built right next to the site. The city doesn’t want to mess with the private builders of this pool, after all, the pool opening is scheduled for fall 2021, the opening party is on. This has been known for a long time and was so agreed.
The Badeners defend themselves: Actually, one must document and remove the course area layer by layer. “Certainly now you’re only doing the bare minimum. You can’t look left and right, that’s only reserved for the next generation, ”said Baden historian Ruth Wiederkehr, criticizing time pressure.
It’s like flying blind in this place.
Baden historian Bruno Meier believes that one should have reacted earlier: “You are like flying blind in this place. It should have been approached 2, 4 or 5 years ago and explored it all, ”he says. It is too late now.
Cantonal archeology rejects the criticisms: Archeology has legal regulations that must be implemented, says Georg Matter, who was responsible for the cantonal archaeologist at the time and is now the head of the culture department. Investigating what will be destroyed by the construction project, that’s also what Matter is doing at Kurplatz. Canton archeology is doing its job well, he says.
Then continue: The issue is also currently worrying the council of residents of Baden. The head of the task force said, however, that the previous findings would likely be re-completed, as this is the best way to preserve them. Baden’s past remains hidden from the population under the Kurplatz.
