Founded as Augusta Treverorum in 16 BC during the reign of Augustus Caesar, Trier is Germany's oldest city and an important site for classical monuments and art treasures. The Romans' great passion for architecture that shaped this city on the Moselle is demonstrated above all by the Porta Nigra, the best-preserved city gate from antiquity and now Trier's signature landmark.

2,000 years of history from the Roman Empire to the present day

Trier has many different aspects – as you might expect for a city that is more than 2,000 years old. Whether Augusta Treverorum or Novaesium – now better known as Trier and Neuss – is really Germany's oldest city is still a matter of debate, but there is no doubt that the Romans designated Trier as a city rather than a settlement. Roman emperors, bishops, electors and ordinary people alike have made this city what it is today. World-class architectural monuments – many of which have had UNESCO World Heritage status since 1986 – and art treasures have been preserved and tell of fascinating times gone past. Porta Nigra, the amphitheatre, the famous Imperial Thermal Baths where the Romans went to relax, remnants of the St. Barbara Roman Baths from the 2nd century and, just as old, the Roman Bridge, which is still part of a main road into the city, all bear witness to Trier's extensive Roman heritage.