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Trier under the Romans
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Augusta Treverorum was founded, probably in 16 BC, as a crossing point on the junction between the imperial frontier along the Rhine and the Gallic-Belgic provinces. Its name, later shortened to Treveris (and the French form Treves), signifies that it lay in the territory of the conquered Treveri tribe. The new settlement quickly developed into a major city, and remained so until it was sacked around 275 AD by the Alemanni. However, it was rebuilt shortly afterwards under
Emperor Diocletian
, who made it the headquarters of the western provinces stretching from Britain to Spain. Trier's prestige reached its height under
Emperor Constantine
, who lived there from 306 to 316: the time when he adopted Christianity, with Trier as the premier bishopric north of the Alps. The city then had 80,000 inhabitants - almost as many as it has today - and was adorned with spectacular new buildings. Decline began with the establishment of Constantinople as the overall imperial capital, though emperors continued to spend some of their time in Trier until the middle of the fourth century, when the administration of the western provinces was moved to Arles. Only its position as a major ecclesiastical centre saved it from falling into irreversible decline.
TRIER'S ROMAN MONUMENTS
Opening times
for the Porta Nigra and the rest of Trier's Roman monuments, other than the Konstantinbasilika, are as follows: daily April-Sept 9am-6pm; Oct, Nov & Jan-March 9am-5pm; Dec 10am-4pm. The Barbarathermen are closed 1-2pm, all Dec, and on Mon throughout the year. Entry to individual sites is DM4/€2, or you can save by buying a ticket valid for all of them for DM9/€4.50. Other useful information
for tourists (each section contains more specific sub-sections): |
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Germany,
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