Trier

Trier is well over 2,000 years old.  A Celtic tribe called the Treveri first settled this area and were subdued by the Romans around 58 BC. As the largest Roman settlement North of the Alps, it grew to an estimated 80,000 people at its peak.  It is claimed that it is the oldest city in Germany.  

The diorama below shows the size of the city under Roman rule.  The Rhein River borders the city.

One feature of large Roman cities were round amphitheaters and what was called a "circus", the large oval structure shown where chariot races were held.

When the Romans were defeated, eventually this famous gate to the city was transformed into a Christian church with significant structural additions.

White plastic pieces in this model show where structures were added to make this gate into a church.  In 1804, the French Emperor Napoleon ordered the church taken down to reveal the gate.

The Roman arches of this building were graced by a beautiful magnolia tree in bloom.

The size of the Roman Empire was huge as this map shows.  The darker area represents the range of Rome's rule.

Roman statues and ancient Roman tomb markers were very ornate.

The tomb for the fellow below, highlighted his love of hunting.

Where you find former Roman settlements in Europe, you also often find remnants of bath houses with ornate mosaic tiles.  The small pieces of colored rocks were shaped into cubes and then mortared into place.  The attention to detail is remarkable and survived to be appreciated over 1,500 years later.

This ancient grave contained the full skeleton of a warrior, his variety of weapons and something in the jug to sustain him in the after-life.

The Trier Cathedral

These very old and ornate Bibles were on display in a museum within this huge church.  It should be noted that these were dated to be from 1170 AD, almost 400 years before Gutenberg began printing first editions of the Bible.  The general public would have been unable to read scriptures themselves and relied completely on their priest to teach them.  It is so wonderful to have scripture so available these days, even on our mobile phones.

This signage indicated we could view the robe that was supposedly worn by Christ. Once we walked up the stairs, we could peek through a small window to see "something" on display.  Holy relics like this inspire pilgrimages to view them. 

Here is a picture we found on the internet from pre-Covid times where people could view the robe.

Trier suffered much of the over 2,000 years of it's existence by the many wars that have ravaged Europe.  World War II bombing raids by British bombers laid waste to much of the town.  The bomb shown above is similar to those used.  The German people showed much resolve and have rebuilt their cities and economy.

The quiet streets and beautiful architecture gave way to thoughts of days gone by.

Cochem and Saint Goar

We took the scenic route to Cochem through some back roads over hill and dale. Then as we turned the corner to Cochem we were greeted by the castle on the hill. What, another castle?

It seems there is a fountain giving tribute to someone in the center of most towns.

The steep climb was worth the effort as we got closer to the castle overlooking Cochem.

The grounds are covered with vineyards. It must be quite a sight in late summer as the grapes ripen.

What a great place for a cannon overlooking the Mosel river.

We left Cochem and took a windy road up the mountain on our way to St. Goar.

Looking over the Rhine as a barge takes its cargo down river.

Lorelei (or in German Loreley) German legend of a beautiful maiden who threw herself into the Rhine River in despair over a faithless lover and was transformed into a siren who lured fishermen to destruction.