Trier, Germany

Trier, Germany (Stop #4 on our Road Trip):

For the last night at our home-stay in Arlon, Belgium, we went to Trier, Germany, for a day trip.  It was only an hour drive from Arlon.  I wanted to got to Trier because I've heard great things about it and it's said to be the oldest city in Germany founded around 16 BC.  Also, a little part of me wanted to be back in Germany so that my phone would have service again... 

Trier did not disappoint.  It was beautiful as soon as we go there.  The last few places we had visited on our trip i.e. Arlon, Bastogne, and Luxembourg City, were great, but I was still waiting for the wow factor and besides the Tongeren Flea (which is in a whole other category) Trier was my second favorite stop on the trip.  As soon as we got into town both Brandon and I were happy to be back in Germany. 

Trier has a lot of medieval Roman elements to an otherwise typical German city and you can see hints of its Roman past with structures like the Porta Nigra above which is the large Roman gate that hasn't changed much from when it was built around 186-200 AD.  Below you can see the gate from the other side and at this point you are in the city center.

Passing through the Porta Nigra, we headed towards the city center which is called the Hauptmarkt.  It was a beautiful day; sunny and breezy.  The Hauptmarkt was absolutely beautiful and it had a great vibe to it.  It was busy but not necessarily crowded and the Hauptmarkt will be like this all throughout the Summer.  You can see the array of outdoor cafes where you can stop for a coffee or lunch.

Along with the Roman architecture, you can see all different type of architecture including Timber Framing which is what Americans think of when they think of Germany.  I love Timber built houses and buildings!

By the time we had gotten to Trier we were already hungry for lunch.  My mother had suggested Zum Domstein which was the most recommended restaurant in Trier.  We didn't have to walk too far to find it in the Hauptmarkt.  There was no seating left outside, but plenty of seating available inside.  The restaurant's website flaunted traditional Roman food and wine from the Mosel Region as Trier is set on the banks of the Moselle River.  You can also go on a boat cruise during the Summer months.

I should have taken photos of our meals because everyone loved what they had.  I had been eating a lot of salads with goat cheese lately and my salad was delicious.  I also had some tomato soup with pesto and some of the Mosel Region wine.  To give you an idea of some of the other dishes that my family ate were schnitzel with sour kraut (typical food of Germany), pork and potato dumplings, and goulash soup.  We all have to try each other's dishes everywhere we go and I would recommend Zum Domstein if you ever go to Trier.

We spent most of the day shopping in the Hauptmarkt.  They had so many neat clothing stores and little home decor stores.  I ended up buying four tops, a skirt, and a dress.  They also had 

H & M which I love.  They are everywhere in Europe (they are a Swedish company).  If I was a fashion blogger I'd model all my new outfits for you.  My mother and I got some great shopping in while the boys decided to find some geocaches in the area.  Win for everyone!

After some shopping, we walked over to the The Cathedral of St. Peter (Trier Dom) which is also right in the Hauptmarkt.  It is the oldest Cathedral in Germany and Romanesque in architecture.

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The inside, however, has elements of Roman, Gothic, and Baroque architecture.

Later, we visited the Karl Marx Haus and museum.  Karl Marx is known as the "father of Communism" and wrote The Communist Manifesto and Das Kapital.  He was also a philosopher and revolutionary socialist amongst other things.  He was born in this house in 1818 and inside the house you can take an audio tour.  The audio tour is available in English and it discusses Marx's life and the history of Communism.  It was a nice museum, very informative, and also right near the city center.

You can see a view from one of the outside balconies within the house.  

The last stop on my list of things to see in Trier were the Imperial Roman Baths (Kaiserthermen).  It was too late in the day to enter the center and actually tour the baths, but it was okay because we just walked around it and took pictures.  I love the way the light hits from all angles in this picture.

As I was walking around the baths I shot a picture of some of the pretty flowers growing alongside the wall.

That was the end of our day in Trier.  A day was just enough time to see everything we wanted to see but given the opportunity I'd go again.  The great thing about Trier is that everything is in walking distance (besides the Roman Baths).

Favorite Thing About Trier:

For the shopper in me, it had some great clothing and apparel stores.

Next Stop: Paris, France

What would you do in Trier?



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