One of our first trips as a family in Germany was to Trier, which under Roman rule served as the center for government in the northwestern region of the empire to include Britania. Despite the extensive bombing campaign of WWII by the Allies, many of the ruins remained standing so we went to check them out.
We ended up parking a little ways away and walked in. I am sure we could have found closer parking but oh well.
But here it is! This gate served as the entrance to the city with walls running on each side.
The original structure was actually designed to be much bigger but for reasons unknown, it was never finished.
Still, just standing next to it is really an amazing experience. The Roman rule has been something I have only read about - suddenly it became real.
I guess my paying attention to the building was not satisfactory become someone got jealous of how I was taking pictures of things other than her. No names to mention at this time as I will simply let you guess.
Maybe 2 someone's were jealous. Not sure
While the structure is not overly large it is still really big. the texture of the stone and seeing the hallways up high was enough to let my imagination run as I pictured Roman guards walking the halls up above.
The backside of this gate (which oddly enough I did not take a picture of) has a black hue to it - thus the name Porta Nigra.
After that, we wandered through the cobbled street which was lined with shops and busy people (it was a Saturday and people were setting up for a local market) heading towards the Roman baths. Here is a cool building that for some reason pops up on google maps. It was/is unclear to me what it is and why it is on google maps.
More neat architecture, this time an entrance to another church:
Before we arrived at the Roman baths we came across an old church known as the Konstantin Basilika. (pictured next).
It was once lined with beautiful wood and had a nice altar at the end. However, the Nazis looted the church during their reign of terror in the area and then the extensive bombing destroyed the roof and burned out the building.
After the bombing.
Before the bombing.
Oddly enough, the people of the town were actually happy about the bombing as the great majority did not support the Nazi party in this part of Germany and they viewed the bombings as God's justice and deliverance.
The old baptismal font/bowl.
This selfie was more so I could remember the name of the church.
On the outside of the church (left side of buildings) is attached a building from the 1700s and decorated with rococo design. Did I get the history right mom? Don't think I am too smart, I simply read the signs:
Lovely gardens outside the Electoral Palace.
This wall looked old to us and had triangular inlets that looks to be of use to fire arrows or guns as you might see pre-1900. We later learned this wall was built in the 1200s and was part of the city's outer wall.
And here we are at the Roman baths!
Most of the paths here were actually the underground workings of the baths that served as a furnace and heating mechanism so that the baths could be warmed.
Here we are on the outside of the building in what could have been the courtyard between the warm and cold baths.
Lots for the kids to explore.
This small area actually belonged to a private home of a wealthy merchant. The area seen ahead is where fires were built (on the floor) and then the columns allowed for air to circulate. The signs indicated that this area also served as a place for operations and other medical procedures.
As you can imagine, some of this has been restored as the bombings of WWII did destroy some of the structure, but much of it has not been touched.
Not sure what the girls were doing. This corner was a gigantic water heater tower that was filled with water and was heated from below.
Elevated view of the area.
Random church as we headed home.
Last photo. This is a Schnitzel sandwich! I mean why not? I love breaded pork steak on a delicious piece of bread. A little heavy but represents the German cuisine very well.
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