Treves, Trier, Trèves, Augusta Treverorum...

The last day of my visit to Luxembourg blogger friends Léia and Cezar brought me to Treves (Trier, Trèves) in nearby Germany.

To go there, you will cross and again meet the Mosel River, known for its Riesling wines (which we of course tasted).

As you can read on one of the beautiful buildings in Treves - “Ante Roman Treviris Stetit Annis Mille Trecentis..." -, the city existed already (at least) 13 centuries before the Romans founded the “Augusta Treverorum” (referring to the Celtic tribe of Treveri) during the reign of Augustus, the first Roman Emperor, 16 BC. It may be the oldest city in Germany and it was for a while the largest European city north of the Alps, seat of the Gallic Prefecture. It became Frankish during the 5^th century. The Vikings sacked the city during the 9^th century. In 902 it passed in the hands of archbishops and the Archbishop of Treves was one of the seven Electors of the Holy Roman Empire. The French took over the place for long periods during the 17^th, 18^th and 19^th centuries, but after Napoleon’s defeat 1814-15, the city was proclaimed part of the Kingdom of Prussia. (Karl Marx was born here in 1818.) After the unification of the different German states in 1871, Treves joined the German Empire, Germany.

There are a number of Roman buildings left. One of them, the “Porta Nigra”, built 168-200 AD, the remaining one of originally four Roman city gates, can be seen at one end of the Simeonstrasse, the main central street surrounded by a number of beautiful buildings, at the other end leading to the Hauptmarkt and the 15th century St.Gangolf Church. (Please note the red circle I added on one photo. This was originally the entrance to this year-1230 building, originally reached by some wooden stairs, which could be withdrawn in case of danger.)

The Cathedral of Treves is the oldest one in Germany with some parts from the end of the 10^th century with a number romanesque, gothic and baroque additions. It’s linked to the gothic Liebfrauenkirche.

Behind the rococo Electoral Palace you may on my photo vaguely see an angle of the Aula Palatina (or the Basilica of Constantine), another Roman building, from the 4^th century, today under restoration. Another Roman remaining building is the Roman Baths. There are other Roman monuments to be seen, including a 2^nd century bridge, but during a visit of a few hours…

We saw a group of young dancers, recording what probably soon may be found on YouTube - a Treves version of Pharrell Williams’ “Happy”.  

A little addendum from yesterday evening.... The Chinese President is visiting Paris.