Snow fever hits AGAIN!
The morning after our beautiful Spring Fever cable car ride a snowstorm hit as we were travelling to our new accommodation in Nittel! Any other day when we didn’t need to be on the roads would have been fine!!!! There were words to describe how Rob felt driving and it wasn’t ‘ice, ice baby’, but let’s just say it was just horrible. Rob’s leg was trembling as he drove through on the snowy roads. Part of the highway we needed to travel on was closed due to the sudden snow storm. That is why they call it a beast! It just keeps returning. The beast came back and blanketed forest, towns and roads. Very pretty to look at but not to drive in especially if you are used to black burning hot roads that scorch your feet not frozen slippery ice bath.
After driving very cautiously and carefully we made it to Trier! The German drivers seem be a lot more patient compared to the Italian drivers who drive like they are on caffeine drips and have no patience. A little shaken but in one piece as the snow turned to light snow.
We leaped, jumped and sprang out of our car in Trier. We were glad to be no longer trapped by snow and we were eager to explore the city before heading a further half an hour’s drive to Nittel.
Trier
If you love Roman history Trier is a wonderland for your senses to behold! These are the great sites that we explored:
Porta Nigra
History Lesson 1
This is the large ancient Roman city gate which began being construction in 170 Ad almost 1900 years old !!! How is this possible for these gates to still be in such good condition? What history have these gates seen? Imagine the story these gates could tell?
Cathedral of Trier
History Lesson 2
We turned our eyes down a laneway off the main shopping square and we came face to face with Trier’s beautiful Roman Cathedral. It is the oldest Cathedral in Germany built in 1270. Its stunning gothic architecture Roman bricks and dome ceiling make it a historical beauty.
There are many treasures inside to gaze at including the huge entrance door knockers, impressive church organ, the stunning artwork dome ceiling and statue of death.
The underground crypt listed all of priests names right back to the original religious site back in 250 AD!
Church of our Lady
Next door to the Cathedral sits the Church of our Lady which has a extremely impressive entrance arch doorway surrounded by detailed statues. This church had a more modern airy feel which gave it a wow factor. It had beautiful architectural high ceilings, archways which truly lift you to the heavens and the stained glass windows were divinely stunning. We were both very impressed by this church.
Pink Palace
This very elegant 17th century palace holds a lot of cute factor. We enjoyed walking around it surrounding masquerade gardens and quaint garden bed maze.
It had elegant statues lining a water pond which was just beautiful.
Basilica of Constantine
History Lesson 3
We were lucky to see inside this historical religious gem as it was closed the first time we tried to go in. This is a 4th century Roman basilica palace. It was built in 310 AD by the Roman Emperor Constantine. It was once Emperor Constantine’s Throne Room. It is another magnificent trace of Roman architecture left here in Germany! It is an impressive hall that is the largest single room standing structure from the Roman era!!! The side windows added to its sheer size.
Amphitheater
History Lesson 4
This Roman area was built between 160 – 200 AD. It was mind blowing standing inside the centre of the arena where gladiators had battled for their lives.
We walked through the high stands that seated up to 20 000 spectaculars! Green luscious grass had now relaxed the once stone seating. We looked down at the area and imagined watching a musical recital from high in the stands.
We climbed down the steep stairs and explored the dark passage ways through the cellar and dungeons using our phone lights where animals and gladiators once waited ready to meet their fate.
Sadly in the Middle Ages when the Roman Empire fell a lot of the amphitheater stones were removed to make an Abbey.
Imperial Baths
History Lesson 5
The most interesting fact that I found out was that there were once plans to build one of the largest bath complexes in the Roman Empire here in Trier.
The City Walls
The city walls surrounded the park.
That was our Roman history lesson done even though there were more Roman baths to see! In Roman times 300 AD Trier had around 80,000 inhabitants making it the largest city north of the Alps. After seeing so many historical sights within a half hour radius we felt quite satisfied and ready to drive to our accommodation in Nittel.
