Things to do in Trier
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Konstantinbasilika
The brick Konstantinbasilika was constructed in AD 310 as Constantine's throne hall. Its dimensions (67m long and 36m high) are truly mind-blowing considering that it was built by the Romans. Later part of the residence of Trier's prince-electors, it is now a typically austere Protestant church.
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Porta Nigra
Top billing among Trier's Roman monuments goes to the Porta Nigra, a brooding 2nd-century city gate that's been blackened by time (hence the name, Latin for 'black gate'). A marvel of engineering and ingenuity, it's held together by nothing but gravity and iron rods. In the 11th century, Archbishop Poppo converted the structure into St Simeonkirche, a church named in honour of a Greek hermit who spent a stint holed up in its east tower.
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Stadtmuseum Simeonstift
Completely renovated in 2007, it brings alive two millennia of local history with carefully chosen objects, many of them exquisite. Highlights include the Trier Kino (Trier Cinema), where you can see 78 short films of Trier, some made as far back as 1904. Admission includes a free audioguide in German, English or French.
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Hauptmarkt
A farmers' market is still held daily (except Sunday) on the Hauptmarkt. Anchored by a festive fountain dedicated to St Peter and the Four Virtues, it's hemmed in by medieval and Renaissance architectural treasures such as the Rotes Haus (Red House) and the Steipe, a former banqueting hall that's now the home of the Spielzeugmuseum.
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Barbarathermen
Diehard thermal bath devotees will appreciate the Barbarathermen, closed for renovations at the time of research. In the meantime you can look over the fence at the foundations, cellars and floor-heating system, all of which survived a 17th-century raid for stones to build a school.
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Kurfürstliches Palais
The Kurfürstliches Palais, a pink rococo confection entered from the south (garden) side, looks out over the lawns, pools and fountains of the formal Palastgarten (palace garden), perfect for sunbathing on warm summer days.
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Dom
A block east of the Hauptmarkt looms the fortresslike Dom, built above the palace of Constantine the Great's mother, Helena. The present structure is mostly Romanesque with some soaring Gothic and eye-popping baroque embellishments.
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Cubiculum
This beer hall and restaurant, in a medieval cellar, serves light meals such as casserole but the unique speciality here is Pizzasalat - you guessed it, a pizza topped with a pile of salad. Occasionally has live music on Friday or Saturday.
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Amphitheater
The Roman Amphitheater was once capable of holding 20,000 spectators during gladiator tournaments and animal fights - or when Constantine the Great crowned his battlefield victories by feeding his enemies to voracious animals.
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Rheinisches Landesmuseum
The Rheinisches Landesmuseum affords an extraordinary look at local Roman life. Highlights include a scale model of 4th-century Trier and rooms filled with tombstones, mosaics, rare gold coins and some fantastic glass.
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Dreikönigenhaus
The 13th-century Dreikönigenhaus is a late Gothic residence with a geometrically painted facade. Originally, the entrance was up on the 1st floor, reachable by stairs that could be retracted in case of danger.
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Zum Domstein
A German-style bistro where you can either dine like an ancient Roman or feast on more conventional German and international fare. A cookbook of ancient Roman recipes, printed in Venice in 1498, is on display downstairs.
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Liebfrauenkirche
This is one of Germany's earliest Gothic churches. The cruciform structure is supported by a dozen pillars symbolising the 12 Apostles and, despite its strict symmetry, has a light, mystical quality.
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Simplicissimus
An unpretentious café-bar with interesting old photos on the walls, rock on the PR system and waiters who've been known to get sloshed. Several other places to drink are right nearby.
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Europäische Kunst Akademie
The Europäische Kunst Akademie offers a wide variety of short courses (two days to nine weeks) in painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, photography and ceramics.
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TuFa
This vibrant cultural events venue, housed in a former Tuchfabrik (towel factory) - thus the name - hosts cabaret, live music of all sorts, theatre and dance performances.
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Astarix
A popular student cafe, in a funky part of town, with good pizza and Auflauf (casserole; €4.80 plus €0.40 for each added ingredient). Enter through the arcade.
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Kartoffel Kiste
A local favourite, this place specialises in baked, breaded, soupified and sauce-engulfed potatoes, as well as steaks. Has an extraordinary bronze fountain out front.
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Thermen Am Viehmarkt
Found by accident in the 1980s during the construction of a parking garage, the Thermen am Viehmarkt are sheltered by a dramatic glass cube.
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Städtisches Museum Simeonstift
The Städtisches Museum Simeonstift illustrates eight centuries of city history and also has collections of Coptic textiles and East Asian sculpture.
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Bischöfliches Dom- Und Diözesanmuseum
The prized exhibit here is a 4th-century Roman ceiling from Helena's palace, in vivid colours, that was pieced together from countless fragments.
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Domschatz
To see some dazzling ecclesiastical equipment and peer into early Christian history, head to the Domschatz.
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Römerbrücke
The Römerbrücke is the successor to a 2nd-century bridge, five of whose original seven pylons are still extant.
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Becker's Weinbar
The ultramodern Becker's Weinbar offers 60 wines by the glass and a more experimental menu.
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Spielzeugmuseum
The Spielzeugmuseum is chock full of miniature trains, dolls and other childhood delights.
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