Trier

During her visit, Karen, my NAU supervisor and I decided to take a day trip to Trier. It is a beautiful city filled with ruins and history. According to medival legend, "Before Rome, Trier stood one thousand and three hundred years." It is Germany's oldest city once home of Roman emperors. We had a great opportunity for a walking tour around the city where we encountered many churches, monuments, historical buildings and ruins. We were able to spend time at Porta Nigra, which is the largest surviving Roman city gate north of the Alps. Trier cathedral houses the holy tunic of Christ although it wasn't out for display the day we were there. I just loved wandering through a side room of this cathedral that was surronded in stain glassed windows and allowed for listening to the chanting of the monks. After our time at the church we ate in the city square at an outdoor cafe and enjoyed to music of a marching band through the streets. In the afternoon we were able to see the Electoral Palace, the Imperial Baths, and take a lovely walk through the beautiful fall leaves to the Gladiator Amphitheatre. It is the oldest surviving Roman structure in Trier dating back to 100 AD. The structure of the stadium is still intact including the two entrances. I happened to find the chambers open to arena where the animals were held to be fairly creepy. We also were able to walk underneath the arena where the gladiators were kept. (Also very creepy) Walking through the city was extremely beautiful since Trier is located on the edge of the Mosel River. Overall I really loved Trier and plan to visit the city again during their Christmas market.