Trier, Second Rome in Germany, home of Karl Marx

If you had the opportunity to travel to Paris and want to see the remains of the ancient Roman culture but there is no more time or money to go to Italy, Trier is the answer! The oldest city in Germany that became one of the attractions Germany besides Berlin and Frankfurt, is actually located near the Luxembourg, but if we're in Paris, you can take the TGV train for four and a half hours and costs approximately 20 euros.


But if you are not interested in knowing the architecture in the Roman era, there was one reason why we have to make tripto Trier. Ever heard the name of Karl Marx? Well if curious as to whether the bearer stream where Marxism was born, come to Trier. Beautiful city in the southwest corner of Germany ever held F1, as the host such a prestigious race car racing in the early 2000s.


During a Euro-trip in the summer of 2006, frankly, Trier is not in my itinerary list. I never heard this name. Incidentally after I visited Paris, I had to Luxembourg. The woman at the Tourist information center of Luxembourg advised me to visit the city of Trier.

Trier is just 15 kilometers from the Luxembourg station which can be reached by train for 40 minutes. A 40-minute train ride from the Luxembourg-Trier, seemed to travel by time machine broke through the passage of time over thousands of years and throw me into the heyday of the Roman Empire in Germany.

All the way from the train's window, we can enjoy the beautiful views of the European village. Cultural heritage sites in the ancient Roman city of Trier as this makes a living museum that continues to erode not eternal waves of time for hundreds of years. I think, when Trebeta find this city the first time two thousand years ago, the king of the Assyrians was instantly in love at first sight. Trier is like a beautiful white girl plump rosy-cheeked fresh like medieval paintings.

Fertile valley that lies to the left of the river Moselle this indulgent population with a wealth of natural forests, and fertile soil Mosel vineyards. Trier has twice as wide field of Jakarta but only inhabited by a population of only 1% of the population of Jakarta. Residents Trier has a distinct dialect with the Germans in general. Culturally, Trier is closer to neighboring Luxembourg.

There are three languages ​​spoken in this small town, Luxembourgish (Luxembourg native language), French (as in Century  18 and 19 once occupied by Napoloen Bonaparte), and Germany. If we had not had the opportunity to hear all three languages ​​were spoken by the locals, at least we can read on postcards sold in the tourist information center. Almost all postcards written in those three languages.


Out of the train station, after walking for 8 minutes the first building we saw was the Porta Nigra (Porta = Gate, Nigra = Black). This gate was once part of the city wall four levels (like a giant wall of China) that surround the city of Trier and still looks dashing challenging times for a dozen centuries. His fate is much better than baths Taman Sari in Yogyakarta (Indonesia, my home town) that has only recently started to be cleaned.

Five minute walk from the house there is a small black gate is used as Tourist information (Address : An der Porta Nigra, D-54290 Trier tel 49-651-978080) where visitors can find material and travel information in English. Like to dispel the gloomy impression indicated Porta Nigra, not far from the gate of the black giant Roman city of Trier decorate with bright pink building, Palace of Trier. Pink palace is a place where the emperor lived with nice flower garden and Rome style statues.


Since the city was occupied by Emperor Augustus of the Roman Trier has Trevorerum Augusta latin name and the nickname "Seconda Rome" (Rome II). Seconda Rome was once the capital of the Western Roman Empire. Even the Empire Constantin Trier ever had in the past few years and founded the church of St. Peter's Cathedral.


In addition to seeing the remnants of the glory of ancient Roman culture and natural beauty of Trier, we can also do a culinary tour Franco-German cuisine and see the festival 'Altstadtfest' in the summer and Christmas Festival in winter. Festival 'Altstadtfest' is an annual event where all city dwellers overflow on one big party with live entertainment, local food, wine and beer.

If you or your friends liked the atmosphere of Christmas, the best time to come here is in December, due to Trier to host the best Christmas markets in Europe.

Here are the places that are worth visiting to see the greatness of ancient Roman culture in Trier:
1. Porta Nigra, which was built around the year 180 when the Roman empire was established many buildings using a large rock or gothic baroque style, is the largest hedge ancient Roman heritage in northern alps mountains and designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

2. Hauptmarkt (Main Market) is the center of Trier during the past 2000 years. Where are the Market Cross, the St Peter and Church of St Gangolf.

 3. Dom / Church St Peter's Cathedral is the largest church built in the 4th century, is located 100 meters from the Hauptmarkt.

4. Roman Baths. Trier has 3 very spacious public baths, bathing here is the biggest baths outside Rome, Italy.

 5. Amphitheatre: trace remains of the Roman arena for gladiatorial games and beast, built in 100 AD which can accommodate about 20,000 spectators.

 6. Spielzeugmuseum trier (doll museum). Here we can see the dolls in the 18th and 19th centuries, especially the wooden puppet on 300 years ago.

 7. Church was St Gangolf, built in the 12th century. Located in Hauptmarkt, this church is not visible from the outside looked small only a Gothic archway that looks jutted forward with stalls and shops.

8. Roman Bridge (Romerbrucke) which was built in 144-152.

9. Liebfrauenkirche (church was Santa Maria), is the first gothic church in Germany

10. Rheinisches Landesmuseum: located near the imperial bathhouse, where visitors can discover the history of the development of the middle age, Roman and Christian.

11. University Graduation hall (promotionsaula) formerly a Jesuit school (seminary) in which Karl Marx had attended there. If you are not a lot of time, one day is enough to see the sights that you like for a moment to feel the glory of the Romans.

But if there is time, there is no harm in visiting nearby towns, Konz, to see the museum open in Roscheider Hof, which presents how people lived in the Moselle region 200 years ago, the Luxembourg to see the old town and the natural beauty Grund Frankfurt Ardennes or within 110 miles.