Trier, Imperial Baths

Trier’s Kaiserthermen, the Imperial Baths of Emperor Constantine, 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. In almost no other complex is it possible to visit such a complicated subterranean passage system. The ruin of another bath, the Barbarathermen, is located just a few blocks west of here, near the Mosel River. Nearby, the Romerbrücke (Roman Bridge) is built on a foundation that has, despite wars and floods, served as a Mosel crossing point since the days of marching Roman Legions.

The 20,000 seat Roman Amphitheater, the oldest Roman structure in Trier, was built in 100 AD, a few blocks from the Kaiserthermen. 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. Under the playing field we walked among the huge timbers that support the 246 feet by 164 feet arena floor.
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Another view of the Imperial Baths of Emperor Constantine.