The so-called Basilika, Constantine’s throne room, is the largest surviving single-room structure from Roman times. The Romans wanted the architecture to express the magnificence and might of the emperor.

It may come as a surprise that Karl Marx was not born in an industrial city but in Trier, which at that time (May 5, 1818) had fewer than 10,000 inhabitants.
The other surprise may be that the birthplace, today’s Karl Marx Museum, is not to be found in Karl-Marx-Straße but Brückenstraße 10 (the first section was not renamed in order to keep the historical address).

Going to the baths was an important part of Roman life, and, besides some smaller private baths, Trier had three large public baths: the newly discovered Forum Baths, the Barbara Baths, and the Imperial Baths, the latter two being the largest baths outside Rome.

The Porta Nigra is a former Roman gateway made of sandstone dating from the 2nd century A.D.. Its height is 30m, its depth 22m and its front measures 36m. It has two carriageways and is flanked by two huge towers. It served as a strong defence and was, of course, an impressive symbol of might and power. In the middle ages however the Porta Nigra was transformed into a church named St. Simeon and after the French Occupation (1794-1815) again restored almost to its original Roman style. The Porta Nigra is the landmark of Trier.

Being surrounded by beautiful architecture of the last centuries – a market cross dating from 985 A.D., St. Gangolf (built 13th – 15th century) all surrounded by groups of civic houses like the Red House, mainly built from the 14th – 17th century - it is one of the most interesting squares in Germany. As in former times the Hauptmarkt is a vivid centre in the City with market, gastronomic and shopping possibilities nearby.

The impressive building was founded in the 4th century, built on a former palace of the Constantine period. In the following centuries new parts were added outside as well as inside so that the cathedral remains a magnificent testimonial of changing ecclesiastic architecture ranging from Roman times to our modern age.