Roman Bath ()
Just over an hour’s drive (and less than a two-hour train ride on the RE1) from Kaiserslautern is Germany’s oldest city, Trier. Originally called “Augustus Treverorem,” Trier was founded in 16 B.C.E. by the Roman Emperor Augustus and briefly spent time as a capital city in the Roman Empire. In its over 2000-year-old history, it has belonged to the Roman Empire, France, Luxembourg, Spain, Prussia and Germany.
At the top of your list of time travel destinations in Trier should be the Porta Nigra, the largest and best preserved Roman gate north of the Alps. Visitors can walk around the exterior of this 2nd-century gate for free, but I highly recommend paying the price of admission to walk up and around the interior for some of the best views of the city and mountains. Serving as a city gate was not its only purpose over the centuries, as you’ll find out during your visit. You can fully integrate yourself into the time-traveling experience by taking “The Secret of Porta Nigra” tour. The tour is led by a Roman Centurian who draws the audience in with tales of the gate’s history (in German).
Don’t be fooled by the name, there is no need to bring your swimsuit to the Forum Baths and the Imperial Baths. You can marvel at ancient Roman engineering techniques as you wander through underground tunnels and passages and view the aqueduct system that kept the baths functioning at the Imperial Baths. The Forum Baths are still used by the people of Trier today. Every January, wine enthusiasts gather at the Forum Baths for the Wine Forum. People choose from over 200 wines to taste and vote on winners for several categories. The Imperial Baths and Porta Nigra are just two of the nine UNESCO World Heritage sites that exist in Trier.
Trier Roman Bath ()
Re-live some of your favorite scenes from “The Gladiator” at the Amphitheater, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cellars where gladiators and animals would have been brought to the surface are still intact. No games are held there today, but it is the world’s 10th-largest preserved Roman amphitheater.
In 310 C.E., Emperor Constantine the Great decided he did not want a simple hall for receiving his audiences (who had the audacity to share their grievances with him). He decided that if he must listen to people complain, he would do it in style. Thus, the Aude Palatina was built. It was designed with mosaics, marble floors and porphyry statues. Today it is known as the “Basilica of Constantine.” It is another UNESCO site and is used as a Protestant church. You can visit outside of church service hours.
Jump forward in time from the Roman Era to the 16th century. Located across from the Landesmuseum, is the gorgeous Electoral Palace. Before getting up close and personal with the palace, we chose to eat a delicious breakfast outside at the museum’s cafe, Café Zeitsprung. I had my very first German-style breakfast here, and I still wonder why they provide so many jams, Nutella and butters for one croissant. From the café, you can admire the view of the tiny duck pond and the palace’s exterior. Keep in mind that access is restricted, but you can schedule guided tours of the foyer, courtyard and “Baroque Room.”
After breakfast, I recommend going to the Landesmuseum where you can view exhibits inspired by over 200,000 years of German history and culture. The museum features over 4,500 objects and has the largest mosaic collection north of the Alps. The museum is also a publishing house and a place of archeological research.
After the museum tour, we once again time hop to the 19th century, the birthplace of Karl Marx: The Karl Marx Haus. Be warned that this is an unassuming building and my spouse and I walked right past it two or three times before we found it. This house museum not only looks at the life of Marx but also the world he lived in. The museum contains personal artifacts, writings and letters from Marx as well as art based on his life, including a captivating hourglass exhibit. Outside of the house, use the crosswalk with traffic lights shaped in Marx’s image.
Trier Marketplace (Tamala Malerk)
Today, Trier is filled with delicious food, shopping opportunities, museums and history, and it makes a great day trip. In the heart of Trier is the marketplace, the Hauptmarkt. All year long, the Hauptmarkt is where you can shop till you drop, then refuel at one of the many restaurants, cafes and coffee shops, and then shop some more. My spouse and I found an outdoor cafe where we ordered food and drinks. Then we participated in one of our favorite activities of people watching, which included seeing a line of people singing in a This winter, from Nov. 22-Dec. 22, make sure to grab a trinket or two from the Trier Christmas Market held at the Hauptmarkt.
Speaking of favorable weather, a great place for fun with the entire family when the weather is nice is, Wildfreigehege Weißhauswald. Just a few minutes outside of the city center, visit the rare woolly pigs, fallow deer, wild sheep and various breeds of chickens at this wildlife park. The kids (and perhaps a certain writer who is a kid at heart) can even feed the Thuringian Forest Goats. Three walking trails begin in the parking lot with a variety of difficulties for all levels of hikers. Kids can also burn some energy playing on the playgrounds.
If the weather isn’t great for hiking outdoors, check out Trampoline Trier, the indoor trampoline and fun park. Here you can find indoor roller coasters, bumper cars, climbing areas, a toddler area and more.
No matter whether you want indoor educational or shopping experiences or ancient outdoor adventures, Trier has something for singles, couples and families of all ages.
The ANTIKENCARD Trier will provide you with admission to several Roman artifacts/museums across Trier that are valid until the end of the calendar year for as cheap as €12.00 per adult with up to four children under age 18 included in the ticket price.
