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Trier
Trier, Germany's oldest city, was officially chartered by Rome around 16 BC, but was settled by the Celts in 400 BC and possibly many centuries earlier. Trier was a great Roman city, and rivaled Rome and Alexandria in the 3rd and 4th centuries until it fell to the Franks in 480 AD. Trier also has the recognition of being the oldest seat of a Christian bishop north of the Alps.
Trier is located in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate near the border with Luxembourg, and sits along the Moselle river at the head of the Mosel Valley. Trier is a large city, but its fabulous Market Square (Hauptmarkt) contains medieval structures and is not to be missed. And flanking the Hauptmarkt is Trier's most famous monument, the Porta Nigra.
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The Porta Nigra - Latin for black gate - was erected by the Romans about 180 AD, along with 3 other city gates and the city wall. As the only surviving gate, changes were made to the Porta Nigra after Rome fell, and it was converted to a church during the Middle Ages. In the 1800s, Napoleon ordered that the gate be reconstructed to its Roman origins, and the Porta Nigra remains much the same today as it did at that time.
Another site in Trier that should not be missed is the Trier Cathedral - or Dom St. Peter - built in the 2nd century by Constantine. Over the centuries the original structure was changed and renovated in Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles, and the Cathedral houses the Holy Shroud - or Holy Robe of Christ (though not on display). First documented in the 12th century, legend says that the shroud was worn by Christ at his death, and that it was brought to Trier from Jerusalem by the Empress St. Helena - the mother of Constantine.
There are many other buildings and museums to see in Trier, including the 12th century Basilica of St. Matthew (Saint Matthias), and St. Gangolf's - the 15th century church near the Hauptmarkt. In addition, Trier provides a good base for exploring the Mosel Valley, the beautiful Hunsrück region, the Eifel area, and the Ardennes of Luxemburg.
Visit the Trier official website, and click on the English flag. Then, at the very top, click Sights. Then, from the dropdown menu, choose churches, monuments, etc. General information is provided for each site, plus one or more photographs. The site also has information about accomodations, package offers, and guided tours.