The first time I heard about Trier was in the 1980s, during a history class in communist East Germany. Back then, Trier was primarily known to us as the birthplace of Karl Marx—the figurehead of communist ideology, even though he never aspired to that status himself.
Let me say this upfront: the Karl Marx Museum in Trier is an excellent place to learn. However, don’t expect much in terms of original furnishings or personal memorabilia—the house is more about understanding Marx’s ideas through texts than walking down memory lane.
That said, Trier is so much more than the birthplace of Marx, and I strongly recommend visiting this remarkable city.
First, there are wine taverns scattered all over town (this one is my favorite). Trier sits in one of Germany’s premier wine regions, and you can taste the local products right there in the city.
Trier also boasts a wealth of historic landmarks from the Roman era—many of them UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The most famous of these is the Porta Nigra, a spectacular Roman city gate. It only survived the Middle Ages because it was repurposed into a Christian church. Today, it stands proudly once again as a symbol of Roman engineering and power.
Speaking of the Romans: they founded Trier in 16 BC, making it the oldest city in Germany. It later became so significant that it was referred to as “the second Rome.” You can explore this rich Roman heritage at the Rheinisches Landesmuseum Trier (here), a museum that does an outstanding job showcasing the artifacts and history left behind.
And finally, Trier is home to Germany’s oldest cathedral. The Trier Cathedral, built in the 4th century AD, is a stunning Romanesque structure that continues to inspire awe.
All in all, plan to spend at least three days in Trier—it’s absolutely worth the visit.
What a wonderful trip to Trier, a city I might never see again so I’m glad you featured it here.
Trier is beautiful. I had the privilege of visiting this city over 10 years ago with a teacher in the classical languages (old Greek and Latin). She had been the guide for high school kids (who took her classes) to places like Rome and Trier. She did that for several years. Since she’s the wife of a close friend she gave me a private tour through Trier. We visited the city center, the Amphi Theater and much more. That was ver y special.
I went back in 2022 with my mom. We then also visited the Imperial Bath, the winery and the birth house of Karl Marx. And we did a wine tour in the cellars of Winestube Kesselstatt.
It’s a beautiful city in which you can easily spend a couple of days, as you said.