Experience Germany's oldest sights up close – 3 fascinating places in Trier

Where can you find Germany's oldest sights? In Germany's oldest city, Trier, of course. The picturesque little town is located idyllically on the Moselle River and is brimming with history and charm. We spent Easter in Saarland (the neighboring federal state) and took a day trip to Trier. With the tips in the following blog post, you can easily and relaxedly explore Trier in one day.

Germany's oldest city has a lot more to offer besides its ancient sights. In addition to numerous restaurants and street cafes, there are great malls and shopping opportunities. The surrounding area around Trier also offers many possibilities for exciting excursions and adventures.

But let's get to the 3 fascinating places you absolutely must see in Trier.

1. Porta Nigra Trier – Germany's Oldest Structure

We are driving from Wadern about 40 minutes to Trier, which is located in the beautiful Rhineland-Palatinate. Rhineland-Palatinate is the second most beautiful state in the world, right after Saarland. And here in Trier stands Germany's oldest building, the Porta Nigra. The Porta Nigra is Germany's oldest city gate. There are simply places that inspire you at first glance, and the Porta Nigra is exactly such a place.

It is huge, dark, and full of history, stands in the middle of the city, and is a gateway to the past. For almost 2,000 years, this impressive sandstone structure has told the story of the Romans who once lived, traded, and defended the city here.

When you stand directly in front of the Porta Nigra, you feel the two millennia clearly. The stones, which were once very light, are weathered. The mighty archways and the mysterious passages, through which Roman soldiers already marched. The Porta Nigra is the symbol of Trier and was built to endure for many thousands of years more.

5 surprising facts about the Porta Nigra

1. Black, but not intentional
   As mentioned above, the Porta Nigra („black gate“) was originally light-colored, as it was built from sandstone. It only turned black with weathering and environmental influences. Its name does not go back to the use of hot pitch, as some stories from Trier claim.
2. Roman Recycling
   In the Middle Ages, the Porta Nigra was not only used as a city gate but also as a quarry. In fact, many houses in Trier still contain stones from the gate for this reason. It's basically Roman secondhand goods.
3. From the city gate to the church
   At times, the people of Trier transformed the Porta Nigra into a church. It was Napoleon who finally ended this unusual tradition, returning the Porta Nigra to its original form.
4. Instagram Spot Trier
   The Porta Nigra is one of the most popular Instagram spots in Rhineland-Palatinate. A Roman certainly never would have thought that.
5. Secret tunnel under the Porta Nigra
   Uhhhh... an exciting fact, claimed by a legend. It's said that there are secret tunnels under the Porta Nigra, connecting the city gate with other Trier structures. These secret passages have never been found, but you could try to look for them during your visit.

The Porta Nigra is definitely worth a visit if you're in the area. It's an exciting place on my list of Germany's oldest sights. But Trier has another highlight to offer.

2. The Trier Cathedral – Germany's Oldest Church

The Trier Cathedral was built 1700 years ago, making it the oldest church in Germany. It also stands in the middle of the city and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. What makes the cathedral so unique is the fact that it was built on the foundation of a Roman palace. It is the oldest building in Germany.

By the way, the Roman walls are still visible in the church today. Therefore, you should definitely visit the interior of the cathedral as well. As you walk through the large and venerable halls, you will encounter many medieval columns, impressive masonry, and modern art. Everything is united here in one place.

My pro tip: Grab an ice cream or a delicious coffee from one of the many small and charming cafes near the cathedral and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere here. The cathedral is located away from the hustle and bustle and is only a few steps from the main market.

3. Trier – Germany's Oldest City

The third fascinating place on my „Germany's Oldest Attractions“ list is Trier itself. It is the oldest city in Germany and was founded by the Romans over 2000 years ago. However, old does not mean boring, as the city is full of life, charm, and exciting history.

I've been to Trier about 50 times, as it offers a great shopping experience. There are numerous small and charming boutiques, some larger shopping malls, and countless stylish cafes and restaurants.

What makes Trier special is the contrast between ancient structures and the relaxed, lively atmosphere that can be felt everywhere. Among Roman ruins, medieval houses, and ancient walls, you'll find people enjoying life. This is a feeling that I haven't observed or experienced so strongly in many other places.

That's why I'm listing Trier itself as one of Germany's oldest sights. You should visit the city at least once. If the hustle and bustle becomes too much, you can quickly get to the Moselle riverbank or into nature and relax. Since Trier isn't the biggest city in the world, like Chongqing, you can visit it comfortably and easily in one day and still see a lot of the city.

Regarding Chongqing and China. Since Trier is the birthplace of the philosopher Karl Marx, China gifted the city of Trier the large Karl Marx statue for his 200th birthday, which you can visit today. That was heavily criticized at the time, but as they say: "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth." =) Karl Marx is, of course, also an important part of the city's history. Therefore, in addition to the statue, there is a Karl Marx Museum, and his birthplace has also been preserved.

My pro tip: If you don't have much time, book a ride on the chug-chug train, the Roman Express. We did that this time too. The train takes tourists past most of the sights. It's great, informative, and of course, comfortable. The 45-minute ride costs only about 10 EUR (as of 2025), making Trier an exciting and compact experience in one day.

4. The most beautiful sights in Trier

So you have the most complete list of Trier's most beautiful sights, I'll list most of the attractions for you here. You can use this as your bucket list and agenda if you should visit Trier:

1. Black Gate (oldest Roman city gate in Germany)
2. Trier Cathedral (Oldest church in Germany)
3. Main Market Trier (historic square with St. Peter's Fountain)
4. Basilica of St. Constantine (Huge Roman throne room)
5. Imperial Baths Ancient Roman bathhouses
6. Amphitheater Trier (Ancient Roman arena for gladiator fights)
7. Electoral Palace (Baroque palace with a beautiful garden)
8. Marian column (great view over Trier and the Moselle Valley)
9. Karl Marx House (Birthplace & Museum of Karl Marx)
10. Roman Bridge (Germany's oldest surviving bridge)
11. Church of Our Lady Gothic Church next to the Cathedral, UNESCO World Heritage Site
12. Barbara thermal baths (additional Roman bath complex)
13. St. Gangolf Church Church at the main market with a crooked tower
14. Rhineland State Museum Trier (Museum with archaeological finds)
15. Simeonstift Trier (City Museum right next to the Porta Nigra)

Conclusion: Trier in One Day

The picturesque town located in the Moselle region Trier has a lot to offer. If you're interested in antiquity and the Roman era, you'll get your money's worth 100%% here. But even if you just want to relax and stroll, Trier is a suitable place. Especially in the summer months, the countless charming cafes invite you to escape the stress of everyday life.

Have you ever been to Trier? What did you like best there? Write it in the comments below.

Image Gallery Trier – Germany's Oldest Attractions

Here are a few impressions from the metropolis of Trier 🙂.