Trier – the oldest city of Germany

Trier – witness to a history of 2000 years and a city looking forward to the future. Guests are expected to become part of a place were the past meets the present in an impressive way.

Already in the Ancient world, Trier - called "Augusta treverorum" at that time - was said to be the "second Rome" ("Roma Secunda") due to its beauty and prominence. Founded in 16 B.C., the roman settlement rose to an Imperial Residence and the capital of the West-Roman Empire. The cultural prime the city experienced in those years, is still reflected in a row of monuments in good condition: the Porta Nigra, the Amphitheatre, the Imperial Baths and the impressive Basilica - all declared a treasure of world civilization by UNESCO - keep the roman art and lifestyle, among others, very much alive. Architectonical works of art which originate from other eras, like the Dome and the Electoral Palace, remain the visitors of different epochs such as Romanticism, Gothic, Classicism and Baroque. They blend imposingly in the townscape and make it look more eclectic and diversified.

Nonetheless, Trier is also expecting a magnificent future. Its favourable location in the heart of Europe, with frontiers to France, Luxembourg and Belgium nearby, will allow the city to stay a place of international and cultural exchange. Therefore, Trier invests a lot in its future and education: Next to a University and a college of higher education, the city holds the European Academy of fine arts and the Academy of European Law. The diocesan town Trier is furthermore rich of cultural institutes and schools.

But what makes the city basically attracting to its visitors are its environments. The Eifel and the Hunsrück, two well-known tourist regions, let their guests forget about their stress and sorrows. Besides, Trier lies in the centre of a great wine-growing district between the rivers Moselle, Saar and Ruwer. In numerous cafés and restaurants, visitors are invited to enjoy a glass of delicious wine and other culinary highlights. In view of the animated places, like the medieval central market and the cattle-market, visitors will be able to note that Trier is, with a population of 100,000, anything else than a sleepy town.

University of Trier

Trier belongs to the traditional places in Germany holding a university. Already in 1473 a university with a theological, a legal, a medical and a philosophic department had been founded. The institution was closed by Napoleon in 1798 and not rebuilt until the late 20th century. In 1975, it has been refounded as a university with a humanistic focus. Today, more than 900 people are working at the University of Trier. The numbers of students is estimated at about 14,000.

 

Travelling to Trier

 

Getting There: Trier is located in west central Germany, just six miles from the Luxembourg border and 120 miles southwest of Frankfurt. Closest airports to Trier are Luxemburg (about 30 minutes from Trier by car, about 60 minutes by Train from Luxembourg central station) and Frankfurt/Main (about 3 hours by Train).

Without changing trains you can comfortably travel to Trier directly by rail from many German cities in the modern InterCity trains. More information about trains in Germany, timetable and reservations can be found on the website of Deutsche Bahn AG.