Trier in Germany, with the renowned Porta Nigra has a historical background and valuable cultural heritage traced back to the ancient Roman Empire. The city obtained the rare status of being one of the most significant cities beyond Rome.

In 1986 the Porta Nigra was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with other well-known Roman buildings in Trier: the amphitheatre, imperial baths, the Roman bridge, Trier Cathedral, the Church of Our Lady and a few more.

Besides the Roman heritage, the university city Trier has many other qualities – today, it is a vibrant and charming city where nearly all architectural styles from the last 2000 years are represented along the streets. Moreover, it is a great place to enjoy the little bistros and cafés – maybe accompanied by a glass of local wine produced at the vineyards in the rolling hills of the Moselle Valley.

Porta Nigra in Trier, Germany, rises majestically in the heart of the city. The ’black’ monument is famous for being the most well-preserved Roman city gate, not only in Germany, but in all the countries once part of the great Roman Empire. Moreover, Porta Nigra is the biggest ancient city gate north of the Alps!

Porta Nigra, Trier, Germany | Photo: Travel In Culture

Originally, Porta Nigra had a Roman name, Augusta Treverorum, but it has not stuck to the gate. Instead, the darkened colour of the sandstone material has in the Middle Ages given the gate its current name, Porta Nigra, ‘Nigra’ (‘black’ in Latin) referring to the resulting colour of the monument.

Being founded in 17 BC, Trier is Germany’s oldest city, and it became a Roman colony from the 1st century AD. Under the reign of the Roman Emperor Augustus, the imposing city gate was constructed.

Porta Nigra, the northern gate, was at the time one of four massive city gates around Trier – entry points along the 6 km long city walls. All gates marked the ends of the two crossing main streets of Trier. The three others were Porta Alba (White Gate) in the east, Porta Medie (Middle Gate) in the south, and Porta Inclyta (Famous Gate) in the west. Unfortunately, none of those have been preserved as they, since the 13th century, have served as a ‘quarry’ for other constructions.

Porta Nigra, Trier, Germany | Photo: W Downs / Pixabay

Soon, Trier became one of the most important and largest Roman cities and the capital of the Western Roman Empire. The Romans erected a whole range of building complexes in the city. Besides the city walls and gates, they built, as some of the most significant structures, an amphitheatre in the hills of the Petrisberg, formerly used for performances, gladiatorial contests, animal fights and brutal executions, a solid bridge over the Moselle River, the great Aula Palatina, as well as the impressive Imperial Baths & Barbara Baths.

The Barbara Baths | Photo: Travel In Culture

In medieval times Porta Nigra was transformed into two identical churches, the upper church intended for the monks and the lower church for ordinary people. An apse, more levels, and a spire were added, as well as an additional gate, the small Simeon Gate.

Nevertheless, in 1802, Napoleon Bonaparte ordered that the gate construction be converted back to its original Roman appearance – with a few exceptions. The apse was, for instance, kept. The current Porta Nigra is very close to the transformation carried out by Napoleon.

The Roman Bridge – Römerbrücke | Photo: Travel In Culture

The Roman Bridge, or Römerbrücke, crossing the Moselle, consists of pillars that can be dated back to the 2nd century. They were built out of massive stone blocks attached with iron clamps.

The upper part of the bridge has been replaced twice – the first time in the 12th century and the second time in the 18th century.

To follow their customs of relaxing in a bathing establishment, the Romans constructed bathing complexes in Germany, so Roman bathhouses such as the Barbara Baths and the Imperial Baths thus saw the light of day in Trier.

The Barbara Baths | Photo: Travel In Culture

The Barbara Baths (Barbarathermen) are the oldest and represent one of the largest bathhouses in the ancient Roman Empire – presumably the second largest. They had a sophisticated heating system with an oven under the floor producing hot air. That guaranteed a relatively constant temperature around the baths. In addition to the hot baths, there was a frigidarium, a cold water bath, and a large swimming pool.

The Imperial Baths (Kaiserthermen) were, contrary to belief, never completed nor used as intended as an Imperial bathhouse. When leaving Trier, Emperor Constantine II donated it to the population.

The Imperial Baths, Trier, Germany | Photo: Travel In Culture

Aula Palatina, also known as the Basilica of Constantine, was a basilica commissioned and used by Emperor Constantine I around 300 AD. Originally, Aula Palatina was part of a palace construction in Trier, but only this building part has been preserved.

The Electoral Palace with Aula Palatina in the background | Photo: Travel In Culture

Later, during the Middle Ages, the Bishop of Trier used the construction as his residence. The adjacent Electoral Palace dates back to the 16th century and was connected to the Basilica of Constantine. Subsequent electors turned the palace into a Renaissance palace – and, later, the rococo style was included in the architecture. Right until 1794, the bishops of Trier lived here, but the French Revolution abruptly put an end to that.

The Cathedral of St Peter was built above the ruins of a former palace dating from the Roman era. In addition to its Roman-style interior, nearly all architectural styles can be identified – meaning that all European epochs have contributed to the design of the Cathedral. It is now the oldest church in Germany, and with its three crypts, cloister, the Treasury, and Holy Robe Chapel, one of the highlights in Trier! The Cathedral also holds several tombs of the former archbishops of Trier. In its heyday, there were notably four basilicas united here – in an area covering quite a bit of central Trier.

Cathedral of St Peter & Church of Our Lady | Photo: Travel In Culture

Adjacent to the Cathedral is the medieval church from the 13th century, the Gothic Church of Our Lady. It has also been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In case you want to gain more insight into the Roman culture than just seeing the ancient Roman architecture strolling around Trier, you may visit the Rheinisches Landesmuseum. It is a museum of Trier’s history, in particular the Roman era. Visit this museum to study Roman artefacts such as statues, coins and other Roman items excavated in and around Trier.

To know more about Trier from the Middle Ages onwards, you may also want to visit the Stadtmuseum, featuring art and culture in Trier throughout the last 1000 years.

Cathedral of St Peter | Photo: Travel In Culture

Trier is today so much more than its Roman heritage. Hauptmarkt is the vibrant central square where festivals take place. If you come at the right time, you will find market stalls selling vegetables, fruit, and flowers. It is a continuation of the location being a place of trade – which it has been right since the Middle Ages. Trier’s shopping streets all have Hauptmarkt as their focal point. Continuing down Fleischstrasse, you will arrive at the old grain market, Kornmarkt, which is today also a festival location.

Hauptmarkt | Photo: Travel In Culture

The Market Cross stands in the market square and has been there since 958 (although it is today only a replica – the original can be found in the Museum Simeonstift)!

Another landmark at Hauptmarkt is St Peter’s Fountain, dating back to 1595. Atop the fountain, you will spot Trier’s patron saint, Peter. Likewise, century-old buildings such as townhouses like the Steipe, the wine house with Gothic arches, medieval and Renaissance houses, St Gangolf Church, and the oldest pharmacy in Germany adorn Hauptmarkt.

A famous house is the Gothic Dreikönigenhaus from 1230. An outstanding feature of this house is that it can only be accessed using a ladder since the entrance is placed one level up – a security measure taken by the original residents! Anyway, there is, unfortunately, no longer any visitor access!

St Peter’s Fountain, Hauptmarkt | Photo: Travel In Culture

At Christmas, you can experience the Trier Christmas Market, which is precisely here around Hauptmarkt.

Another noteworthy place in Trier is Karl Marx’s birthplace, open to visitors. The Karl Marx House was back in 1947, opened as a museum of the life of Karl Marx.

When in Trier and the Moselle Valley, you should, of course, indulge in a wine-tasting experience of grapes from Moselle’s riverside vineyards. The climate along the Moselle is mild enough for excellent wine production – and you will come across the Moselle wines everywhere in the region.

Going to Münster? Then you may want to read 7 Cultural Things to Do in Münster

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