Trier, Germany

Alright, who’s ready for it to be Friday?

No, I’m only kidding, I am grateful for every day that I am blessed with. Doesn’t that make you want to climb on board the positivity train with me? Okay good, let’s go.

Anyways, I’m taking you back to Germany this Tuesday. After we had lunch in Luxembourg, we made our way back across the German border and stopped in a city called Trier which is only about 6 miles from the Luxembourg border.

Trier is actually the oldest city in Germany and is home to several famous historical sites, one of which is the oldest defensive structure in Germany, the Porta Nigra (meaning “black gate”).

 

 

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This 2nd-century Roman gate guards the main entrance to the city and is named in reference to its dark, weathered exterior. It was originally one of four gates that once surrounded the city of Trier but is the only one left standing today.

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The Porta Nigra was built around 180 AD and is the oldest building I have seen to date. I guess the Roman’s are pretty good at building things that last, huh?

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From the inside, you are able to get a good view of the city and it’s surrounding green hills and vineyards. Can you see the vineyard in the background there?

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History and wine…not a bad combination, if I don’t say so myself. Okay, really, wine is good combined with almost anything (I said almost).

After you make it through the Porta Nigra, the charming town of Trier opens up around you with tons of charming little shops and restaurants everywhere.

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We were there on a Saturday and the local Farmer’s Market was booming!

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There were even pretty German pups (Dobermans,right?) out and about.

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I also had the most amazing soft and fluffy pastry while we were there but I failed to take a picture before inhaling it.

Another prominent structure in the the city is the Trier Cathedral (Trierer Dom in German).

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This amazing site is the oldest church in Germany with it’s construction beginning around 326 AD.

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Apparently, it was damaged in a bombing raid during WWII and had undergone extensive restoration in the 1960’s as a result.

The inside was even more gorgeous and had amazing detail everywhere you looked.

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There was actually a service going on while we there so we didn’t take too many pictures.

Behind the Dom is the bright pink Kurfürstliche Palais, or Electoral Palace, that opens up to a meticulously manicured garden.

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Back behind the gardens are the Imperial Roman Bathhouses which are over 2,000 years old and are considered to be the largest Roman baths outside of Rome.

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Trier was truly an incredible little city and we were so lucky to have been able to see it. We are forever grateful to our kind German friends who took us exploring along the Mosel River in places we would have never found on our own. It is a beautiful part of Germany and I highly recommend visiting there if you are ever in the country.

 

What is the oldest piece of architecture you have ever seen?

Have you ever been to Germany or do you hope to go one day?