Trier

Trier is rich in ruins from the Roman Empire (protected by UNESCO), such as the Porta Nigra, the Roman baths and Roman amphitheater. As Trier was founded by the Romans as Augusta Treverorum, it can dispute the title of "oldest German city" with Augsburg, Cologne, Kempten and Xanten. Unlike the somewhat provincial and quaint feel the town exudes today, it was actually one of the centers of power during the Imperial Crisis of the 3rd century AD, and certainly the most important Roman town of the province of Germania.

Besides its ample Roman heritage, Trier is also known as the birthplace of Karl Marx, a fact that the city has had difficulty grappling with during more anti-communist times, but now widely markets for tourism.

Walking is the best way to travel around the city, though a vehicle is good when visiting the stadium. Also there is a scenic overview up the hill by the stadium where you can see the entire city. The city tours take you up there.

• 🌍 Porta Nigra, Porta-Nigra-Platz. Build between 186 and 200 AD this is the largest Roman city gate still standing north of the Alps. 
• 🌍 Barbara Baths (Barbarathermen). Large ruins of Roman baths 
• 🌍 Trier Imperial Baths (Kaiserthermen), Weimarer Allee 2. Roman baths 
• 🌍 Roman amphitheater, Bergstraße 45. It used to host 20,000 spectators. 
• 🌍 Forum Baths, ☏ +49 651 9941057. Roman baths 
• 🌍 Basilica of Constantine (Aula Palatina), Konstantinplatz. Roman palace basilica that was built by the emperor Constantine at the beginning of the 4th century. 
• 🌍 Roman Bridge Trier (Römerbrücke). Over the river Mosel, nine bridge pillars date from the 2nd century AD 
• 🌍 Trier Cathedral (Hohe Domkirche St. Peter zu Trier), Liebfrauenstraße 12. Incorporates part of a church built by Emperor Constantine and contains the relic of the Holy Robe. 
• 🌍 St. Paulinus Church (Sankt Paulinskirche), Palmatiusstraße 4. It has a lovely Baroque interior. 
• 🌍 Liebfrauenkirche (Church of Our Lady), Liebfrauenstraße 2. One of the earliest Gothic buildings in Germany. 
• 🌍 St. Matthias' Abbey, Matthiasstraße 85. A Benedictine monastery, centered on a Romanesque basilica which contains Matthew the Apostle's relics, a point of pilgrimage. 
• 🌍 Rheinisches Landesmuseum, Trier, Weimarer Allee 1. One of the most important archeological museums in Germany 
• 🌍 Karl-Marx-Haus (Karl Marx's birth place), Brückenstraße 10. Where Karl Marx was born, in 1818. It contains a museum about Marx and Marxism. It is, rather unsurprisingly, the city's biggest draw. (updated Jan 2021)
• 🌍 Judengasse. A former Jewish Street that is now home to many bars. 
• 🌍 old Jewish cemetery (Jüdische Friedhöfe), Weidegasse. From the 17th century. 
• 🌍 Old Crane (Alter Krahnen). Harbour crane dating from 1413. 
• 🌍 Customs Crane (Zollkran). 18th-century crane. 

• 🌍 Weinkulturpfad. A simple walk over the hill through vineyards, with a few spots explaining the process. Follow the signposted road up the hill next to the amphitheatre, then turn off to walk through the vines and get great views over the valley of Olewig. Take the exit at Olewig and you can stop in to the Blesius Garten. (updated Sep 2017)

Trier hosts a University as well as a University of Applied Sciences (the so-called Fachhochschule).

The Fachhochschule is in sight of the city. The first buildings were built in 1944 and were used by the Nazis to educate the next generation of soldiers. After the war, the complex was not officially used as a school. In the 1970s the University of Trier was refounded and used the buildings until a new university complex was built on the other side of the Mosel valley. Since then the Fachhochschule uses the complex.

Trier lies at the heart of a famous wine region. In recent decades, vintners have added reds (especially Spätburgunder) and rosés to the traditional whites (especially Riesling). Apart from the standard wines and beers (Trier - Löwenbräu, Cologne - often Gaffel Kölsch, Bitburg - Bitburger), one should definitely try Viez. Viez is a natural, refreshing apple wine, which many prefer with a splash of orange soda Viez/Limo or with half sparkling mineral water Viez-Sprudel because of the tartness. In October, many enjoy freshly pressed apple juice (süßen Viez) or mixing this unfermented juice with half regular Viez. The drink is traditionally served in a white porcelain or stoneware mug holding 0.4 l.

• 🌍 Blesius Garten, Olewiger Str. 135 (in Olewig, a couple of kilometres east of the amphitheatre). Easy to reach from the amphitheatre, either along the main road or by walking over the hill along over the Weinkulturpfad, this complex has a hotel, a nice beer garden with good food, and, most importantly, their own excellent brewery, Kraft-Bräu. Makes a good change from the Bitburger and a good destination for an afternoon. (updated Sep 2017)
• 🌍 Weinstube Kesselstatt, Liebfrauenstraße 10 (opposite the cathedral). 10:00-00:00. Great selection of local wines in a nice building with a leafy courtyard opposite the cathedral. Also has light meals like cheese. (updated Sep 2017)
• 🌍 Zum Petrusbräu, Kalenfelsstraße 3. 16:00-00:00. Brewery with some good beers, nice garden, simple meals and a very local vibe. (updated Sep 2017)

Trier is a relatively safe city. Standard travel safety applies. The railway station can be intimidating at night.

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