Follow travel duo Scott and Megan of BoboandChichi.com on their discovery tour to Trier, one of Germany’s most remarkable heritage cities. Their exploration of Germany’s oldest city (founded 16 BC) reveals an extraordinary collection of UNESCO World Heritage Roman ruins alongside medieval treasures and modern wine culture. Fun fact: Trier boasts more Roman monuments than any other city north of the Alps, earning it the title “Rome of the North.”
Their Trier Highlights:
- The massive Porta Nigra gate and panoramic city views
- Underground tunnels of the Imperial Baths (Kaiserthermen)
- The atmospheric Roman Amphitheater
- Germany’s oldest cathedral and the Gothic Church of Our Lady
- Wine Stand at Hauptmarkt featuring rotating Mosel wineries
- The pink Rococo Electoral Palace and gardens
- Karl Marx’s birthplace and museum
- Treasures at the City Research Library (including a Gutenberg Bible)
- Medieval Alter Krahnen crane along the Moselle
- Roman Bridge with 2,000-year-old pillars
The travel-loving couple discovered that two to three days provides the perfect pace for exploring Trier’s layers of history. They recommend starting with a 90-minute guided tour from the Visit Trier Tourist Office, located next to Porta Nigra, and then tackling the ticketed Roman sites with the money-saving Antikencard.
At the Porta Nigra, this 2,000-year-old city gate (once one of four protecting old Trier), Scott and Megan climbed to the upper levels for what they called their favorite photo opportunities.
Their Roman ruins exploration continued at the Imperial Baths, where they got wonderfully lost in the eerie underground tunnels lit only by sunlight streaming through ancient windows. At the Amphitheater, carved into a hillside, they freely explored tunnels and cells where gladiators once prepared for battle.
The couple’s cultural discoveries included the Trier Dom (Germany’s oldest cathedral), which houses Christianity’s Holy Robe, and the adjacent Church of Our Lady, featuring a rose-shaped floor plan that symbolizes the Virgin Mary. At the City Research Library Treasury, they viewed rare manuscripts including the Codex Egberti and massive 17th-century Coronelli Globes.
Wine culture proved equally compelling. At the Hauptmarkt Wine Stand, they learned about the deposit system for wine glasses while sampling rotating selections from the Mosel Valley, Germany’s oldest wine region. Kesselstatt, steps from the cathedral, became their favorite lunch spot, thanks to its courtyard views.
The Karl Marx connection added thought-provoking moments – from his controversial statue gifted by China to his birthplace museum, which spans three floors. They even spotted Marx in the crosswalk signals!
Scott and Megan’s favorite surprise? The stunning pink, white, and gold Rococo façade of the Electoral Palace, the former residence of Trier’s Archbishop-Electors, is now a government office surrounded by gardens perfect for picnicking.
For Scott and Megan’s complete Trier experiences, including practical tips on the Antikencard, dining recommendations, and detailed Roman ruins insights, read their full article at boboandchichi.com/things-to-do-in-trier