Trier - the oldest city in Germany

Trier, Germany - a city with an ancient history that can interest every tourist who has come here. Despite his rather advanced age (in 1984 he celebrated his 2000th birthday), Trier continues to lead a rather active life and is one of the most visited cities in the country.

General information

Trier is the oldest and perhaps the most interesting city in modern Germany. The history of this settlement began in 16 BC. e. - then it was called Northern Rome and Augustus Treverorum. The current name was received much later - in about 3 tbsp. n e.

Now the city of Trier is a large administrative center of Germany, located on the southern bank of the river. Moselle in Rhineland-Palatinate. According to 2017 data, its population is slightly more than 110 thousand people. Among them there are many students, because in addition to the huge number of architectural monuments associated with the ancient Roman civilization, it has several higher educational institutions.

Sights

Most of Trier's attractions are located in the Old Town, a picturesque place surrounded by shady alleys, the Zurlaubener Ufer promenade and the deep Moselle. This place was loved not only by local residents, but also by travelers who came to the city. We walk along it.

Acquaintance with Trier should start with a tour of the Black Gate, which is the main symbol of this city. Built in 180 during the reign of the Roman Empire, they are among the most ancient defensive structures in Germany, which managed to survive to this day. In those days, Porta Nigra was part of a high fortified wall and, together with three other gates, served to enter the city. Their height was about 30 m, and the width reached as much as 36!

Initially, the Porta Nigra in Trier was completely white, but over time, the stone from which this gate was built managed to darken so much that it became fully consistent with their name. But this is far from the main feature of this attraction. Much more interesting is the way in which these gates were built. You will not believe, but 7200 stone blocks, the total weight of which exceeds 40 tons, stay on liquid tin and thick iron brackets! The latter were partially plundered by medieval looters, but, despite this, the building managed to survive completely.

Historians argue that such incredible resilience is associated with the personality of Simeon, a hermit monk who lived in Porta Nigra from 1028 to 1035 and was buried at their base. After the death of the old man, a church named after him was attached to the gate. However, in 1803 it was destroyed by Napoleonic troops, as a result of which the structure took its original form. Today it houses a museum.

• Address: Simeonstrasse 60 | Porta-Nigra-Platz, 54290 Trier, Germany.
• Opening hours: Sun-Sat from 09:00 to 16:00.

Cost of visit:

• Adults - 4 €;
• Children 6-18 years old - 2,50 €;
• Children under 6 years old - free of charge.

St. Peter's Cathedral or Trier Cathedral of Trier, whose construction began in 326 at the initiative of Emperor Constantine, is one of Germany's oldest religious buildings. The basis of the temple, made in the Romanesque style, was the part of the royal palace, donated by Queen Elena of Trier to the bishopric.

After the devastating raid of the Norman tribes in 882, the ruined church building was forgotten for many years. They remembered him only in the middle of the 18th century. - then the local bishops decided not only to restore the style of the cathedral, but also to add it to the interior of the baroque elements. So there was an altar and a relief barrier decorated with carvings. The next restoration of the Cathedral took place in the 70s. last century. Like other buildings located in the central part of the city, it was badly damaged by the bombing of World War II, therefore, it needed a complete reconstruction.

Nowadays, St. Peter's Basilica is one of the most important sights of Trier. His reliquary holds the tunic of the Messiah, which is one of the main Christian shrines. In addition, here you can see the sandal of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called, the ark with the head of St. Helena and the links of the chain that bound the Apostle Peter.

Address: Domfreihof 2, 54290 Trier, Germany.

Opening hours:

• 01.11 - 31.03: daily from 06:30 to 17:30;
• April 01 - October 31: daily from 06:30 to 18:30.

Visits are prohibited during church services.

Hauptmarkt, the central city square located at the intersection of the important shopping streets of the ancient city, continues the list of the most popular Trier attractions in Germany. The main symbol of this place is the Market Cross, established in 958 by order of Archbishop Henry I. The building is a stone column with a crucifix, symbolizing the rule of the church and indicating the special privileges of Trier. In addition, the Market Cross defines the city center, and a sundial located on one of the walls of the column allows you to find out the exact time.

Another decoration of the central square of Trier is the renaissance fountain of St. Peter, built in 1595. At the base of the fountain are metaphorical female figures personifying modesty, strength, wisdom and justice, and the top is decorated with a sculpture by the apostle Peter, the main patron of Trier.

A small part of the historical Hauptmarkt historical building with brightly painted ancient houses and a small street leading to the medieval Jewish quarter has survived to our times.

Address: 54290 Trier, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.

The Church of Our Lady in Trier, towering next to the church of St. Peter, can be called the oldest Gothic building in modern Germany. The basis of this monumental structure is part of the ancient Roman basilica, built even during the reign of Emperor Constantine. The new building was carried out by architects from Lorraine, giving it the style of Gothic popular in those days.

For several centuries, representatives of the higher church hierarchy of Trier were buried in Liebfrauenkirche, so hundreds of crypts gradually accumulated here. Due to this feature, the Church of the Virgin Mary could easily turn into one of the world famous church storages, however, during the German war with Napoleonic France, most of these burials were destroyed.

Equally interesting is the appearance of the Liebfrauenkirche - it resembles a rose with 12 petals and a semicircular apse. The interior of the temple pleases the eye with statues, historical monuments and tombstones installed here thousands of years ago. The most valuable of them were transferred to the local museum and replaced with absolutely exact copies. Another interesting feature of this attraction is the covered gallery connecting the Church of Our Lady with the Cathedral and turning them into Trier Cathedral in Trier.

Attraction address: Liebfrauenstr. 2, 54290 Trier, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany

Working hours:

• Mon, Wed, Fri: from 08:00 to 12:00;
• Tue, Thu: from 08:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 16:00.

The Rhine Museum of Local Lore, founded in 1877, is one of not only the largest, but also the most significant archaeological panopticons in Germany. In its exhibition halls there are many exhibits telling about life on the banks of the Rhine. Most of them are over 200 thousand years old. But perhaps the most important part of this collection is the archaeological finds that historians attribute to the Roman period of the development of Trier.

Walking through the exhibition grounds of the Rhineland Museum, covering an area of ​​4 thousand square meters. m, you can see rare and truly unique specimens. Among them, it is worth noting fragments of the stained-glass windows of the Cathedral, medieval tools made of stone and bronze, weapons and jewelry "mined" from Frankish burials, tombs of the Celtic nobility, monuments and epitaphs of the early Christian period. Noteworthy is the large collection of antique mosaics, coins, ceramics, paintings, household utensils and works of antique decorative and applied art.

• Address: Weimarer Allee 1, city of Trier.
• Operating time: Tue.-Sun. from 10:00 to 17:00.

Cost of visit:

• Adults - 8 €;
• Children 6-18 years old - 4 €;
• Children under 6 years old - free of charge.

Looking at the photos of Trier, you will probably notice another important attraction of this city. We are talking about the basilica of Aul Palatine, built in 4 tbsp. in honor of Emperor Constantine and being the largest surviving hall of the ancient period.

The Basilica of Constantine, which is often called the Palatinate Hall, has the shape of a regular rectangle. Initially, it was used to receive guests, but over time, not only the appearance of the basilica changed, but also its purpose. So, in 5 tbsp. Aul Palatina was destroyed by Germanic tribes, after which its apse turned into a tower for bishop's apartments. A few centuries later, the basilica became part of the new palace, and in the early 19th century. it housed the Protestant Cathedral of the Savior.

Address: Konstantinplatz 10, 54290 Trier, Germany.

Acquaintance with the sights of the city of Trier in Germany can hardly do without a walk to the imperial baths. The ruins of the once huge baths are another proof of the greatness of Northern Rome. The structure with partially preserved walls, whose height reaches 20 m, is one of the largest buildings of this purpose.

The construction of Imperial Roman Baths began in 3 tbsp. and ended during the reign of Constantine the Great. Oddly enough, they did not fulfill their intended purpose, and were later converted into a forum.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, the baths became barracks for cavalrymen, and then became part of the fortress wall protecting the entrance to Trier. Currently, the territory of the imperial term is an archaeological park. And here, various exhibitions are often held.

Address: Weberbach 41, 54290 Trier, Federal Republic of Germany.

Working hours:

• November - February, from 09:00 to 16:00;
• March, October: from 09:00 to 17:00;
• April - September: from 09:00 to 18:00.

Cost of visit:

• Adults - 4 €;
• Children 6-18 years old - 2,50 €;
• Children under 6 years old - free of charge.

The Roman bridge in Trier, which for 2 thousand years now serves to cross the river. The Moselle was built between 144 and 152. Its predecessor was a wooden viaduct, the stone supports of which have survived to the present day - they can be seen at moments of falling water level. The main reason for the safety of these structures are durable building materials. It is said that basalt slabs mined in the crater of an extinct volcano were used for facing the supports. Initially, thin wooden planks covered the bridge, but over time they were replaced with stone.

In 1689, the Roman bridge was blown up by the Napoleonic army, but by the beginning of the 18th century. he nevertheless managed to regain his former appearance. Then it was not only rebuilt, but also decorated with a statue of St. Nicholas and the image of the Christian crucifix. But the Second World War did not affect the fate of this important historical landmark. For unknown reasons, the retreating German troops left him whole.

In the postwar period, active archaeological excavations were carried out in the area of ​​the Roman Bridge. Now all 9 ancient Roman pillars of this structure continue to fulfill their main function - to maintain a busy pedestrian-automobile road, located at an altitude of 15 m above water level.

Address: Romerbrucke, 54290 Trier, Republic of Germany.
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Food in the city

Holidays in Trier will be incomplete without visiting local cafes and restaurants offering a wide variety of dishes and surprising visitors with a high level of service. Among the most popular establishments where you can relax after exploring the city sights are the Kartoffel Restaurant Kiste, Kasefalle - Das Kase-Restaurant, Pizzamanufaktur Pellolitto and Coyote Cafe Trier.

• Regarding prices, the estimated cost of lunch or dinner for two is: 25 € in an inexpensive restaurant,
• 48 € - in a middle-class establishment,
• 14 € - at McDonald's type eateries.

Where to stay?

The city of Trier in Germany offers a wide selection of housing at various prices. A daily double room rental in a 3 * hotel will cost 60-120 €, in a 4 * hotel - 90-140 €. You can also rent apartments at a price of 30 euros.Find out RATES or book any accommodation using this form

Interesting Facts

Finally, we give a few interesting facts related to the history of Trier.

1. The famous economist and writer Karl Marx was born here.
2. Fountains of Trier are called one of the most beautiful in Germany.
3. For a long time, the Fuhrer of the Third Reich Adolf Hitler was an honorary citizen of the city.
4. On one of the houses you can see an inscription saying that Trier appeared 1300 years before Rome. In this way, the locals tried to "wipe the nose" of their main rival.
5. In addition to traditional municipal transport, a funny train travels through the city streets, departing for Porta Nigra and making stops at all important sights. The duration of such a trip is half an hour.
6. Trier has 9 twin cities located on 3 continents.
7. The city is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Trier, Germany is a small but very beautiful city, a visit to which will leave a lot of pleasant impressions.

Video about the most popular attractions of the city:

Watch the video: Trier Best Town In Germany - Travel & Discover (April 2024).