Germany, Trier: photos, attractions, tours

What can attract tourists a small and quiet German town of Trier? It turns out that the sights of this oldest city in Germany are quite numerous. It is interesting already that Trier was one of the four capitals of the Roman Empire, and that the first Christian emperor Constantine left traces of his rule in it. No less interesting is the fact that the city belonged to France, then to Prussia. All this and other interesting facts of history can be found by choosing one of the tours around Germany in Trier.

Founding of the city of Trier

The city was founded in the 16th century BC near the Celtic sanctuaries by Emperor Augustus, or rather, it was a settlement, whose name is Augustus Treverorum. Further, Trier turns into a shopping center, and then to the imperial residence, which was then called Northern Rome. During his stay in the city of the Emperor Constantine, Trier becomes the capital of the Roman Empire. This is the 2nd century of our era. It was at this time that the Romans built the gates of Porta Nir, which are the symbol of the city of Trier in Germany and preserved to this day. For several centuries, Trier was in competition with Rome. On one of the city houses there is an inscription stating that Trier to Rome stood 1300 years old.

Bridge-viaduct

In the IV century, Trier once again briefly becomes the capital of the Roman state. This happens under the Emperor Valentinian. During his reign a bridge is built across the Moselle River. Bridge-viaduct - a unique engineering landmark, preserved for centuries, is functioning now. They could build in those days! All supports are basalt. Stagnated centuries to the present day. Neither natural cataclysms, nor time destroyed the bridge. Only wars break everything for the sake of victory. So, in 1689 French troops blew up the bridge, destroying the supports, so two of them were replaced, the second and the seventh.

Since the XII century the history of the Trier archbishopric begins. The city at this time is called Sankta Treveris. During this period, architecture is complemented by monuments of antiquity. In the XVIII century, Trier under the rule of France, and from 1815 - Prussia.

Attractions in Trier

In Germany, in its various cities, there are many antiquities of different centuries, but as many as there are in Trier, probably there is nowhere.

The business card of Trier is Porta Nira, or the Black Gate, located in the center of the city. During the reign of the Roman Empire, they were part of the defensive structures of the city. The gates are made of light sandstone, but under the influence of moisture, soot and rain with wind the building acquired a dark color. Therefore, the gate was called black. In different centuries Porta Nira was used for different purposes. The second floor was once a church for commoners. A floor above, that is, "closer to heaven", was a monastery church. At present it is a convenient place to view the city. On the below photo - Trier (Germany).

No less interesting are the ancient imperial terms, which were not used for their purpose, but turned into a room for the Teutonic guard, then at the castle of the Frankish Duke, then into the bastion of the city wall.

The main relic of the Trier Cathedral

To the sights, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, is the Trier Cathedral, one of the oldest and surviving, the largest temple in Germany in Trier. Initially, the cathedral was built as a repository of the main shrine - the Chiton of the Lord. The Queen Helen brought her from Jerusalem to Trier, having bought this shrine from a family that for several generations had preserved the lifetime attire of Christ. For more than three centuries, the Khiton of the Lord was immured in the altar of the eastern choir of the cathedral. In 1512, for the first time, he was removed from the vault and put up for worship. Since that time, pilgrimages to him began. Storage conditions affected the structure of the holy apparel.

After the restoration of the cathedral, the shrine is placed in an ark with a special glass sarcophagus, in which two more are hidden, inserted into each other - silver and gold. The armored glass covers the Chiton of Jesus Christ. The ark is sealed with the seal of Bishop Trier. Only he has the right to open a sarcophagus. By the way, this is done once a year, when Heaton is visited by specialists-restorers. Not only this shrine is stored as a relic in St. Peter's Cathedral in the city of Trier (Germany). Such relics as a relic with the head of St. Helena, the relics of Saints Joachim and Anna, part of the chain, which was held by the Apostle Peter, are in the Cathedral. Many more relics, which are Christian shrines, were brought by Queen Helen from excavations in the Holy Land of Jerusalem. Here - burials of the bishops of Trier.

Pilgrimage to Chiton

Once in a few years, Heaton goes to worship. This is done on Good Friday. The last time Heaton was put on worship in 2012, from April 13 to May 13. This was announced in advance. Worship was timed to the 500th anniversary of the tradition of worshiping this shrine. For a month, the city of Germany Trier became a pilgrimage center. Here came the Christians of different nationalities and denominations. People came to worship a common shrine. And they, as well as on their pilgrimage to the Turin Shroud, felt a sense of unity and joy.

The Church of Our Lady and the Episcopal Palace

Near the cathedral is the oldest Gothic church in Germany in Trier - the Church of the Blessed Virgin. Its construction went on for a long time, mainly because of a shortage of funds, from 1230 to 1260. Built in the tradition of classical German Gothic. The architecture of the building is such that the view is directed upwards, towards the upper structure of the church, to the vaults with the nerwijs and the openwork windows. After the war in 1951, the Tyrian Church of the Theotokos received the title of "Basilica Minor" from the Pope. In the square opposite the Cathedral and the Church of Our Lady, there is a two-story Episcopal Palace and several buildings resembling the residence of archbishops aristocrats.

Information for tourists and pilgrims

What else can you see in Trier after visiting all the shrines of the city? There are also several museums here. So, Landesmuseum has a large collection of times even the Roman Empire. In Simeonstiftung, various thematic exhibitions are held. Diözesanmuseum demonstrates religious art.

It should be noted that the tourists enjoy excursions around the city. Guides in the costumes of certain eras lead people along the routes of these historical periods. You can take a bus tour with an audio guide. There is a very funny locomotive in the city, plying from Port Nigra. On the way there will be stops near the main sights of the city and memorable places. The duration of the trip is 35 minutes.

You can visit restaurants with all kinds of local and international cuisine. Especially there are many of them in the summer period on the banks of the Moselle, near the city wharf. In summer, the weather in Germany in Trier is warm. The place near the river is colorful, it is quite possible to arrange evening-night gatherings.