Gönneranlage: A Rose Garden Oasis

The Gönneranlage, nestled within Baden-Baden's Lichtentaler Allee, offers a tranquil retreat with its meticulously designed rose gardens and serene atmosphere. This park, a testament to early 20th-century garden design, was established between 1909 and 1912. The park's origins lie in the generosity of Hermann Sielcken, a German-American coffee merchant, who gifted the space to the city. It was named in honor of Baden-Baden's Mayor, Albert Gönner. The garden's design, originally strictly symmetrical, was conceived by Max Laeuger, a renowned ceramicist and architect. At the heart of the Gönneranlage lies the Josefinenbrunnen fountain, a masterpiece by Munich sculptor Josef Flossmann in the Jugendstil style. The fountain features figures personifying the bathing and drinking cures, reflecting Baden-Baden's spa town heritage. The bridge leading to the park, Josefinenbrücke, also bears the name of Sielcken's wife, Josephine. Since 1952, the Gönneranlage has been dedicated to roses, boasting around 400 varieties. Visitors can wander through the rose bushes, relax on benches, and enjoy the beauty.