Trier and its Attractions
Trier is one of the oldest cities in Germany and has many sights dating back to Roman times. It was founded in 16 BC under the name Augusta Treverorum in honor of Emperor Augustus. Historical records and archaeological finds can be viewed in the State Museum and "experienced" in the Roman buildings, most of which are still well preserved.
The Porta Nigra is the best-preserved Roman city gate north of the Alps and is one of the most striking landmarks in Trier and a UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside a number of other Roman buildings in Trier.
The Imperial Baths (Kaiserthermen) date back to the 4th century and impress with their monumental Roman bathing facilities. The magnificent Roman engineering can be admired here. The Barbara Baths (Barbarathermen) are less well preserved but just as fascinating.
Events can still be experienced in the Amphitheater today, and as an open-air theater venue it has a permanent place in the repertoire of the Trier Theatre. In the 2nd century, it could hold around 20,000 spectators.
The oldest bridge in Germany is the Roman Bridge (Römerbrücke), which connects the Hunsrück side with the Eifel side and is still a reliable traffic artery in Trier.
The Basilica of Constantine was built in the 4th century as the throne room of Emperor Constantine and is an outstanding example of both Roman architecture in the construction of large, self-supporting rooms and their heating with the so-called hypocaust heating system. This system used warm air and hot flue gases that circulated under the floor and through cavities in the walls. With a length of 67 meters and a width of over 27 meters, the height of 33 meters is particularly impressive. It is an "open" space without columns and with its 61 wooden ceiling cassettes -3x3 meters square- gives the interior of the basilica both a structured and aesthetically pleasing "sky". The Constantine Basilica has played an important role in the religious life of the Protestant community since the 19th century as the Protestant Church of the Redeemer. In addition to church services, concerts and events are regularly held there. The "new" main organ (Eule organ) with its many playing options, which perfectly complements the choir organ built in the 1960s, deserves special mention.
Construction of Trier Cathedral began in the 4th century, making it the oldest church in Germany. It houses many works of art and relics, including the "Holy Robe", which is considered to be Jesus' robe. Wall to wall with the Church of Our Lady (Liebfrauenkirche), which is one of the earliest Gothic churches in Germany.
The Electoral Palace (Kurfürstliche Palais) is a magnificent Baroque building whose "front garden" is the adjacent palace garden. It is built against the south wall of the Constantine Basilica, a curiosity of the city.
The birthplace of Karl Marx is a museum that displays a variety of exhibits and information about the life and work of the philosopher and economist.
The main market (Hauptmarkt) in the center of Trier and many other squares in Trier are home to markets, cosy cafés and restaurants where you can relax and soak up the atmosphere of this unique city.
With its many events and festivals, Trier offers a colorful spectrum of attractions that often transform the city center into a large party mile. These include the Old Town Festival (Altstadtfest), the Antiquity Festival (Antikenfestspiele) as a cultural highlight with its many events and concerts that take place at the various historical locations, as well as the Trier Jazz Days or "Trier is playing" ("Trier spielt"). The Holy Rock Days (Heilig-Rock-Tage) are a religious festival that attracts thousands of pilgrims.
If you like, you can book a tour on the sightseeing bus or take a leisurely ride on the "Bimmelbahn" through the city center.
Trier is always worth a visit and should not be missed.