On the banks of the Moselle River is Trier, the oldest city in Germany. It was founded as a Roman colony in 16 BC. C. by Emperor Augustus and is now one of the main destinations in the country.
Nowhere else in Germany is the evidence from Roman times as vivid as it is in Trier. Discover ancient history in Germany with these top sites in Trier.
History of Trier
The first traces of man in the area around Trier date from the early Neolithic period. But the city really flourished under the Romans under Julius Caesar in 58-50 BC. In 16 a. C., the Romans founded the city of Augusta Treverorum, which became the basis of modern Trier. It was the favorite residence of several Roman emperors and was even called “Roma Secunda”, the second Rome.
A mint was established, along with a stadium and an amphitheater. The magnificent Trier Cathedral ( Trierer Dom ) and the Imperial Baths ( Kaiserthermen ) still survive today. The huge city wall built in 180 AD sought to protect it, but like most large cities, it swelled and fell many times. In the 5th century, Trier was under Frankish rule and was becoming increasingly Catholic. This was thwarted by the Vikings who conquered the city and destroyed many of the churches and the abbey, ending this period of history.
Near the French border, the effects of the Thirty Years’ War had a harsh effect on the city. The French took over the entire area and Napoleon arrived in 1804. In 1818, Karl Marx was born in Trier. During World War I, Trier became a French garrison town with its major, Charles de Gaulle. World War II resulted in more destruction.
And yet much of the city survived all of this. 2025 celebrated his birthday in 2009. It is a university new students cut and ideas flooding each year; Not to mention the thousands of tourists.
Things to do in Trier
Porta Nigra
The highlight of Trier is the Porta Nigra (‘black gate’), or you can just act like the locals and call it ‘Porta ‘. The Porta Nigram, the largest Roman gate in the city north of the Alps, dates from 180 AD and is included in the UNESCO world heritage list. The door looks very much like when it was built, aside from the inevitable wear and tear of decades and a rebuilding ordered by Napoleon. Visitors can walk where the Romans did and take guided tours of a centurion in summer. Today, this is the largest Roman city gate north of the Alps.
Trier cathedral
The High Cathedral of St. Peter in Trier ( Hohe Domkirche St. Peter zu Trier) was originally built by Constantine the Great, the first Christian Roman emperor. Fitting the oldest city, it is the oldest church in Germany. Trier Cathedral houses great works of art and a sacred relic that attracts many pilgrims: the Holy Robe, the garment that Jesus wore when he was crucified. Since 1986 it has been on the list of UNESCO World Heritage attractions in Trier.
Imperial Baths
Baths were an important part of Roman life and this tradition has spread to German life. Visit the ruins of one of the largest Roman baths of its time and the largest surviving Roman baths outside of Rome. The Kaisertherme was built 1600 years ago, complete with an underground water heating system.
Trier main market
The main market ( Hauptmarkt ) was the heart of medieval Trier. It is home to picturesque half-timbered houses, the town church, the cathedral, a medieval fountain, and the Jewish quarter of Trier. A centerpiece is San Pedro’s 1595 Market Fountain, surrounded by the four cardinal virtues of good city governance: justice, strength, temperance, and wisdom, as well as monsters and, curiously, monkeys. Also take note of the replica of the original stone cross dating from 958 and now housed in the City Museum.
Karl Marx House
Visit the birthplace of Karl Marx, who was born in Trier in 1818; the house is now a museum, displaying rare editions of Marx’s writings.
The house of the three wizards
Dreikönigenhaus , or The House of the Three Wise Men, features a fanciful Moorish design that stands out from its sober neighbors. It has undergone many changes over the centuries, but it still offers some unusual sweets and a cafe on the ground floor.
Archeological Museum
The Rheinisches Landesmuseum (RLM) offers some of Trier’s most impressive Roman artifacts and works of art in the region.
Trier travel tips
- How to get there: Trier is located in west central Germany, just six miles from the Luxembourg border and 120 miles southwest of Frankfurt. Find out how to get to Trier by car or train (more discounted train options).
- City Tours – See Trier Walking and Bus Tour dates and prices here
- In the region : visit the medieval castle of Eltz, just 45 miles northwest of Trier
