Trier facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Trier Tréier  (Luxembourgish)
Clockwise from top: Trier skyline; Aula Palatina; Karl Marx House; Trier market place; Trier Cathedral and Liebfrauenkirche, Trier; and Porta Nigra
Flag Coat of arms
Country	Germany
State	Rhineland-Palatinate
District	Urban district
Founded	16 BC
Elevation	137 m (449 ft)
Population  (2022-12-31)
• Total	112,195
Demonym(s)	Trevian
Time zone	CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Postal codes	54290–54296 (except 54291)
Dialling codes	0651
Vehicle registration	TR
Website	www.trier.de

Trier (/trɪər/ treer) is a historic city in Germany. It is located in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, close to the border with Luxembourg. The city sits in a valley along the Moselle River, surrounded by hills covered in vineyards. This area is famous for its wine.

Trier was founded by the Romans around 16 BC. Its original name was Augusta Treverorum. Because of its age, Trier is thought to be Germany's oldest city. It is also the oldest place north of the Alps where a bishop has had his main church (a cathedral). During the Roman Empire, Trier was one of its four capital cities for a time. Many of its ancient buildings are now part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Today, Trier has about 110,000 people. This makes it the fourth-largest city in its state. Important places in Trier include the University of Trier and the Academy of European Law. The city is also a key center in the wider region that includes parts of Germany, Luxembourg, and France.

Exploring Trier's Long History

The area around Trier has been settled for a very long time. The first signs of people living here date back to the early Stone Age. Later, a Celtic tribe called the Treveri lived here. The city's name, Trier, comes from this tribe.

Roman Beginnings and Greatness

Augusta Treverorum in the 4th century

The famous Porta Nigra, a Roman gate

The Roman Empire took control of the Treveri people in the 1st century BC. They built the city of Augusta Treverorum around 16 BC. This name honored the first Roman emperor, Augustus. Trier later became a very important Roman city. It was even the capital of a large Roman region called "the Gauls."

In the 4th century, Trier was one of the biggest cities in the Roman Empire. It had about 75,000 to 100,000 residents. The famous Porta Nigra (meaning "Black Gate") was built during this time. It is a huge Roman city gate that still stands today. Trier was also where Saint Ambrose, an important Christian figure, was born. Around 407 AD, the Roman government moved its main offices from Trier to another city. However, Trier remained inhabited and continued to be a center for making military supplies and clothing.

From Franks to the Holy Roman Empire

A model of Trier around 1800

The impressive Cathedral of Trier

The Electoral Palace

A part of the Römerbrücke, an ancient Roman bridge

In 459, the Franks took over Trier from the Romans. Later, in 870, it became part of the Holy Roman Empire. This empire was a powerful group of states in Central Europe. The city became very important because it held relics of Saint Matthias, which led to many people visiting on pilgrimages.

The bishops of Trier became very powerful. Their land was known as the Archbishopric of Trier. The Archbishop of Trier was one of the seven "electors" who chose the Holy Roman Emperor. This made Trier one of the most important states in Germany. The University of Trier was first started in 1473.

Between 1581 and 1593, Trier experienced a difficult period known as the Trier witch trials. Many people were accused and lost their lives during this time. It was one of the largest such events in European history.

Wars and New Beginnings

In the 17th and 18th centuries, Trier was often caught in wars between France and the Habsburg Empire. French troops occupied the city several times. In 1794, during the French Revolutionary Wars, France took control of Trier. After the Napoleonic Wars ended in 1815, Trier became part of Prussia.

Karl Marx, a famous German philosopher, was born in Trier in 1818. His ideas later influenced many political movements around the world.

During the 19th century, Trier grew economically as part of Prussia. In 1871, it became part of the new German Empire.

In World War II, Trier was heavily bombed in 1944. After the war, it became part of the new state of Rhineland-Palatinate. The University of Trier reopened in the 1970s, and the Cathedral of Trier was renovated. In 1984, Trier celebrated its 2,000th anniversary. In 2021, parts of Trier were affected by severe floods.

View of the city from St. Mary's Column (Mariensäule)

Trier from the east (Petrisberg)

Trier is located in the middle of the Moselle valley. Most of the city is on the east side of the river. The surrounding hills are covered with forests and vineyards. The border with Luxembourg is only about 15 kilometers away.

Largest groups of foreign residents

Country of birth	Population (2013)
Poland	688
France	675
Luxembourg	573
Ukraine	476
Russia	444

How Trier is Organized

The different districts of Trier

The city of Trier is divided into 19 different areas called "city districts." Each district has its own local council and a local representative. These councils discuss important issues for their area. However, the main city council makes the final decisions. The local councils can still make smaller decisions and manage their own budgets.

Here are the districts of Trier with their size and number of people (as of December 31, 2009):

Trier's Weather and Climate

Trier has an oceanic climate, which means it has mild temperatures. Summers are usually warm, and winters are cold but not extremely harsh. The city gets a good amount of rain throughout the year. The highest temperature ever recorded in Trier was 40.6 °C (105.1 °F) in July 2019. The lowest was -19.3 °C (-2.7 °F) in February 1956.

Amazing Sights and Landmarks

Roman Monuments, Cathedral of St. Peter and Church of Our Lady in Trier

UNESCO World Heritage Site
Ruins of the Imperial Baths
Includes	Amphitheater, Roman bridge, Barbara Baths, Igel Column, Porta Nigra, Imperial Baths, Aula Palatina, Cathedral and Liebfrauenkirche
Criteria	Cultural: i, iii, iv, vi
Inscription	1986 (10th Session)

Trier is famous for its many well-preserved Roman and medieval buildings. These amazing structures show the city's long history.

Roman Buildings to Explore

The Aula Palatina, or Constantine Basilica, built in the 4th century AD

• Porta Nigra: This is the best-preserved Roman city gate north of the Alps. It's a huge, dark stone gate that once protected the city.
• Aula Palatina: Also known as the Constantine Basilica, this was a massive throne hall for the Roman emperor Constantine I. It is 67 meters (220 feet) long and is now used as a Protestant church.
• Trier Amphitheater: This ancient Roman arena was used for gladiator fights and other public events.
• Roman bridge: Built in the 2nd century AD, this bridge crosses the Moselle River. It is the oldest bridge north of the Alps that is still used by traffic today.
• Roman Baths: Trier has the ruins of three large Roman bath complexes. These include the Barbara Baths, the Trier Imperial Baths, and the Forum Baths, Trier. They were once huge public swimming and bathing areas.

Churches and Medieval Structures

• Trier Cathedral: This Catholic church dates back to Roman times. Its grand Romanesque front has four towers. The Cathedral is home to the Holy Tunic, which is believed to be the robe Jesus wore when he died.
• Liebfrauenkirche: Meaning "Church of Our Lady," this is one of Germany's most important early Gothic churches. It has a beautiful design similar to French Gothic cathedrals.
• St. Matthias' Abbey: This is a working monastery. Its medieval church is believed to hold the tomb of an apostle, the only one north of the Alps.
• St. Gangolf's Church: This is the city's local church, located near the main market square. It is mostly built in the Gothic style.
• Saint Paulinus' Church: This is a beautiful Baroque church. Part of it was designed by the famous architect Balthasar Neumann.
• Old Cranes: Trier has two old cranes by the river. The "Old Crane" from 1413 is Gothic, and the "Younger Moselle Crane" from 1774 is Baroque. They were used to load and unload goods from ships.

Museums to Visit

The Rheinisches Landesmuseum Trier

Trier has many interesting museums where you can learn more about its history and culture:

• Rheinisches Landesmuseum: This is an important museum for Roman history. It also has early Christian and Romanesque art.
• Domschatzkammer (Treasury of Trier Cathedral): Here you can see valuable religious items. These include the Egbert Shrine and other relics, many from the Middle Ages.
• Museum am Dom: This museum focuses on religious art and also has some Roman artifacts.
• Stadtmuseum Simeonstift: This museum tells the history of Trier. It includes a detailed model of the medieval city.
• Karl Marx House: This museum is in the house where Karl Marx was born. It shows his life story, writings, and personal items. You can also learn about the history of socialism.
• Toy Museum of Trier: A fun museum with a collection of toys.
• Roscheider Hof: Located just outside Trier, this museum shows what rural life was like in the past in this region.
• Fell Exhibition Slate Mine: About 20 km from Trier, this site has an underground mine and a museum about slate mining.

Education in Trier

The campus of the University of Trier

The central campus of the University of Applied Sciences

Trier is a center for education. It is home to the University of Trier, which was first founded in 1473. It closed for a while but reopened in 1970. The city also has the Trier University of Applied Sciences. The Academy of European Law (ERA) was started in 1992. It offers training in European law for legal professionals. Trier has many schools, including about 40 kindergartens, 25 primary schools, and 23 secondary schools.

Fun Annual Events

Trier hosts several exciting events throughout the year:

• Altstadtfest: Since 1980, this festival has been celebrated in downtown Trier on the last weekend of June.
• Zurlaubener Heimatfest: This festival takes place two weeks after the Altstadtfest, along the Moselle River.
• Rallye Deutschland: Since 2002, Trier has been the base for the German round of the World Rally Championship. The rally's main event is held near the Porta Nigra.
• Trier Christmas Market: Every year, Trier holds a Christmas street festival. It takes place in the main market square and in front of the Cathedral.
• Olewiger Weinfest: This is an annual wine festival held in the village of Olewig, just outside Trier. It lasts for three days, usually in August, and features wine tastings, live music, and food.

Culture and Arts

Trier has a city theater, Theater Trier. Here you can enjoy musical shows, plays, and dance performances.

Getting Around Trier

Trier station is the main train station. You can take trains to many nearby cities like Cologne, Saarbrücken, and Luxembourg. Motorways (highways) like the A 1, A 48, and A 64 connect Trier to other major cities.

The closest international airports are in Luxembourg (about 40 minutes by car), Frankfurt-Hahn (1 hour), and Saarbrücken (1 hour). The Moselle River is an important waterway. It is used for shipping goods and for river cruises.

Sports in Trier

Moselstadium Trier

Trier has several sports clubs for different activities:

• SV Eintracht Trier 05: This is the city's main football (soccer) club.
• Gladiators Trier: This is the city's basketball team.
• DJK/MJC Trier: This club has a women's team handball team.
• Trier Cardinals: This is the city's baseball team.
• PST Trier Stampers: This club plays American Football.
• FSV Trier-Tarforst: This club offers various sports, including football and rugby.

Trier's International Connections

Trier is part of the QuattroPole union of cities. This group also includes Luxembourg, Saarbrücken, and Metz. These cities work together on different projects.

Sister Cities Around the World

Trier has "sister city" relationships with many cities around the world. These partnerships help build friendships and cultural exchange:

Places Named After Trier

Some places in the United States were named after Trier by people who moved there from the city:

• New Trier Township, Illinois, US
• New Trier, Minnesota, US
• New Trier High School, an Illinois school

Famous People from Trier

Many notable people have connections to Trier:

See also

In Spanish: Tréveris para niños