Trier

Located astride the Mosel River about six miles from the Luxembourg border, Trier is little known to most tourists who vacation in Europe, but it should be one of Germany’s most visited cities. The oldest city in Germany, one motto says, “Before Rome, there was Trier.” While we walked just 2,000 steps, we witnessed and enjoyed 2,000 years of history.

The mighty four-story Porta Nigra (Black Gate), was built in the last part of the 2nd Century AD, and has remained the portal to the main shopping street of both ancient and modern Trier. One sidewalk cafe can be recognized by the ever-popular Golden Arches — familiar food and drink, and there are clean restrooms on the second floor. A town-house nearby, built in the 1700s, is the birthplace of Karl Marx.

The most unusual church building in Trier (perhaps unique in all of Europe) is the Constantine Basilika, in what had been the Roman Imperial Palace. Originally built by Emperor Constantine in 310 AD, the Basilica is a massive rectangular brick structure that is 220 feet long, 90 feet wide, and 99 feet from floor to the beautiful coffered ceiling, made of decorative sunken wooden panels. With an occasional redo it has served the citizens of Trier (and Rome) for 1,700 years. Nearby, many buildings have been built and destroyed on the site of Trier’s fortress-like cathedral, and a portion of a granite pillar from the original Roman building lies in front of the southern portal.

The Imperial Baths of Emperor Constantine is just a short walk from the Basilica. The Bath extends 855 feet east to west, and 477 feet from north to south, and is one of the largest monumental ruins (three stories above ground, two stories below) from the world of antiquity.

The 20,000 seat Roman Amphitheater, the oldest Roman structure in Trier, was built in 100 AD. Where once there were seats, slanted grassy banks remain, and unlike most other Roman Amphitheaters, the subterranean passageway under the main arena floor is still accessible by a flight of stairs.

The Romerbrücke (Roman Bridge) is built on a foundation that has, despite wars and floods, served as a Mosel River crossing point since the days of marching Roman Legions.

It’s hard to imagine a city with more fascination for the traveler, than Trier, an outstanding vacation destination.