Baden-Baden is a city in the west of Baden-Württemberg and the smallest urban district in the state. It is known as a spa and health resort as well as a media, art and international festival city. Even the Romans used the hot thermal springs that rise here on the edge of the Black Forest. In the Middle Ages, Baden-Baden was the royal seat of the Margraviate of Baden and thus also gave its name to the state of Baden. After the catastrophic town fire in 1689, it lost its status as a royal seat to Rastatt.