Baden-Baden in southwestern Germany has a time-honored history of about 2,000 years as a spa town. It became especially popular in the 19th century, welcoming an international clientele comprising industrialists, nobles and artists, who came for several weeks or months of drinking and bathing in its waters.

This golden period left the town with numerous architectural relics that still dominate its landscape, such as the Kurhaus and public baths. The cultural and natural heritage of the town is not only of high importance for its citizens but also for countless international visitors and guests, according to baden-baden.com.

Since the summer of 2014, Baden-Baden has been on UNESCO's tentative list of "Great Spas of Europe," which covers 11 spa towns in seven countries. These towns have been nominated to UNESCO for inscription on the World Heritage List as "transnational serial property."

Other than Baden-Baden, the candidates are Baden bei Wien (Austria); Spa (Belgium); the "Bohemian Spa Triangle" of Karlovy Vary, Františkovy Lázně and Mariánské Lázně (Czech Republic); Vichy (France); Bad Ems, Bad Kissingen (Germany); Montecatini Terme (Italy); and City of Bath (United Kingdom). 

The 44th session of the World Heritage Committee, initially scheduled for June 29-July 9, was postponed over concerns surrounding COVID-19. Consultations are underway to determine the exact dates of the session. 

(With input from AFP)