Trier

Stepping back in time, claiming title as the oldest city in Germany, Trier is full of Roman and ancient history! Our friends took the wheel and we arrived in Trier in about an hour from their place. They did the research and pulled right into a parking garage. It was right next to our first sight Konstantinbasilika! 

The buildings massive! We didn't even realize it was the basilika right away. The basilika, Constantines throne room, is the largest surviving single room structure from Roman times. Since the 19th century it has been the first and oldest Protestant church in Catholic Trier. Overall it is a sight to see because of its size! The front/back end has some amazing architecture. 

A side view 

The back or front view depending on where you're coming from

Wandering around the city on foot is easy and not strenuous by any means. Everything was much closer than we anticipated! 

Our next stop was the Kaiserthermen Imperial Baths. Also described as ancient ruins. This attraction was never completed as originally planned. The outside courtyard is large and beautiful. The ruins allow you to go down inside several tunnels and unique bath areas and rooms that were in construction. 

The grounds from an aerial view 

Inside

The thing we found most interesting was in roman times they had plans for building heated pools! The public baths had a variety of plans however their plans came to a halt when Constantine the Great shifted his political activities. The site without its installation of baths ever being completed did have one section completed under the rule of another emporer and became a reception hall. Overall it was a neat site. It was 2-3 euro a person and there was a video in the beginning with a small sit down area, and you could roam free outside and up a structure for some great views. The info pamphlets helped us learn about the place in English as many signs were in German. There is another nearby historical bath house called Barbarathermen.

There is a small pond outside of Kaiserthermen and a nice park area. Everywhere around the site was beautiful. 

A quick stroll down the road put us at hauptmarkt. They had a big farmers market going on. A delicious French fry stand and a ton of booths to buy items at. 

The market had entertainment for money on the street as well.

The cathedral was right next to the market which I believe is every Saturday. The cathedral is a sight to see! Massive and beautiful! 

 

The large organs and detailed architecture is something that will have your neck sore from staring up at. For a small fee you can get a candle and go set it and pray. There was no entrance fee into the Cathedral but you must be quiet... Shhh!

Right across from the front of the cathedral to your left if you have your back to the cathedral was a cute wine bar. They had beer as well. Delicious soups and pretzels. We tried the Riesling there that Trier is known for. It was delicious. That's indoor and outdoor seating. I would recommend the place just for a snack or afternoon drink. 

Next on the sight seeing list was Porta Nigra. Not even 5 minutes down back through hauptmarkt. 

Another entrance fee was required, this was the most expensive of the day 3-4 euro a person, I can't remember. The Porta Nigra is known as the gate to the city of Trier. It is their major landmark & has a ton of history dating back decades. This place is cool inside and although there isn't much to see I thought it was worth the few bucks to see inside! 

Porta Nigra overall is a must see. Next stop was Karl Marx house. This was a bit far from Porta Nigra. We would map that stop earlier on our stops if we did this again. Overall it was worth it. The 'Museum Karl-Marx-Haus Trier' is the official name. It was later discovered as the birth place of Karl Marx and turned into the exhibition. Overall the house walks you through an audio tour with different rooms going through the life, work and legacy of Karl Marx. The audio tour gives you a ton of insight on his life and theories. There is a shop where you pay to enter and get the audio tour including in the entrance fee (€4 pp, groups of 10 only €2,5) & you can buy souvenirs here also. Anything from books to a Marx coffee mug. 

The courtyard at the end was very peaceful and serene. It is supposed to be a place to reflect on Marx legacy and all the information you were just exposed to. 

A ton of history had us hungry. Kartoffel is the place to go! It's a potato restaurant and has a ton of other delicious options. A friend told me they have meat dumplings that are to die for. I'll have to try them next time!

 

A nice selection of beers and wines here while potato soup and bread were on our agenda. If you're thirsty try Schlosser Alt beer, it's delicious!! Our friends with us told us a little about the unique & rare German brew. 

Schnitzel and pommes! Amazing!

http://www.kistetrier.de/anfahrt.html 

So overall Trier was a beautiful quaint unique city I would love to visit again! We didn't get a chance to get up to the castle so we will be going back to see it! Until the next day trip... Tschüss!