In 1477 Baden was completely destroyed during a war against the Hungarian king Matthias Corvinus. To avoid a repeat of this catastrophe in the future, Emperor Friedrich III granted Baden a city charter in 1480. As a city, it was entitled to build its own wall so it could defend itself more effectively against enemies. But a city wall with towers and gates was an expensive proposition. Aware of this, the emperor also granted Baden a whole array of economic rights:
*) Market right: Baden was permitted to hold two annual markets and two weekly markets.
*) Tollage: A small charge had to be paid for all goods brought to Baden or transported through the city.
*) Salt chamber: Salt could not be traded at regular businesses. The nearest salt chambers were in Wiener Neustadt and Vienna so this was a highly lucrative privilege.

*) Grazing rights: The use of pastureland (near the military barracks) in the villages Braiten and Rohr made raising stock cheaper for the people of Baden.
In addition, the city judge ("Stadtrichter" in German; akin to a mayor today) received district court jurisdiction over the precincts of Baden. These precincts included Sooss as well as the many small villages which later converged to create modern-day Baden. It was the duty of the city judge to investigate any serious crimes committed in these precincts and to mete out due punishment. There were even two designated execution sites in the city.
Lastly, Baden received its own municipal coat-of-arms, which remains good advertising for this resort city to this very day!