The Grand Duke of Baden was the ruler of the Grand Duchy of Baden, a historical state in what is now southwestern Germany. Established in 1806, the Grand Duchy was part of the German Confederation and later the German Empire. The title of Grand Duke was held by members of the House of Zähringen, with the last reigning Grand Duke being Friedrich II. The Grand Duchy played a significant role in the development of the region, contributing to its cultural and economic growth. It was known for its beautiful landscapes, including the Black Forest, and for cities like Karlsruhe and Freiburg. The monarchy was abolished in 1918 following World War I.