Trier: Ancient Stones, Modern Vibes, and a Pizza Finale

A few months ago, our daughter's class had a field trip to Trier, Germany: a city dripping in history, Roman ruins, and, presumably, schoolkids pretending to care while secretly hoping for a WiFi signal. Unfortunately, she missed out due to illness, which, as any parent knows, is a tragedy on par with a dead tablet battery mid-road trip.

But we’re not the kind of parents who let a missed trip slide. Oh no. We made it up to her, not just with a quick drive-by but with a full-scale family invasion of Trier on a gloriously sunny Saturday. And let me tell you, this place does not disappoint.

First Stop: Porta Nigra: When Romans Built Like Tanks

Trier's crown jewel? The Porta Nigra, aka “Black Gate,” aka “The Romans Built Stuff That Lasts.” This 2nd-century behemoth was originally light-colored sandstone, but centuries of grime turned it dark. Either that, or the Romans had an early prototype for a coal-powered pressure washer.

Standing in front of this beast, I had two immediate thoughts:

1. The Romans had some serious game: 2,000 years later, and this thing is still standing. Meanwhile, my IKEA bookshelf gave up after six months.
2. If Instagram had been a thing in 1700, every traveler would’ve taken the same selfie here.

House of the Three Magi, Medieval Meets "Why is That Door There?"

Next up, we found ourselves staring at the House of the Three Magi (Dreikönigenhaus), which is basically what happens when medieval architecture meets a fever dream. The whole building looks like someone played Jenga with arches and bricks. And yes, that’s a door on the second floor with no staircase, because back in the day, safety was for the weak, and access ladders were the medieval equivalent of a key card.

Baroque Church Interiors – Where Angels and Gold Went Overboard

Inside one of Trier’s many historic churches, we hit the Baroque jackpot. Imagine gold. Now imagine more gold. Then throw in dozens of baby angels (because apparently, no Baroque artist ever heard the phrase "less is more"). If the goal was to make visitors' jaws drop, mission accomplished. If the goal was subtlety... yeah, not so much.

Trier Cathedral – The OG Church

Trier’s Dom (Cathedral) is basically what happens when you combine Roman foundations, medieval upgrades, and an overdose of divine ambition. It's like the architectural version of a greatest hits album. Stepping inside, you can feel 1,700 years of history humming through the walls. It’s equal parts breathtaking, intimidating, and “Oh wow, they really went all in on high ceilings.”

Final Stop: Pizza Worth the Journey

After a day of channeling our inner Indiana Jones (minus the hat and rolling boulders), we ended on the highest note possible: pizza. And let me tell you, after all that walking, this pizza tasted like a direct gift from the gods. Was it authentic Italian? No idea. Was it exactly what we needed after a day of time-traveling through history? 100%.

Final Thoughts: Trier is Underrated and You Should Go.

Trier isn’t just a pit stop on a history nerd’s dream itinerary. It’s a pocket-sized adventure zone packed with ancient ruins, medieval quirks, jaw-dropping churches, and life-changing pizza. If you love history, architecture, or just want to one-up your friends by visiting the oldest city in Germany, Trier needs to be on your list.

And if you’re a parent making up for a missed school trip? Trust me: this is the way to do it. 🚗💨🍕