Hello again! Next stop on our holiday was a half day in Trier, Germany. What an amazing city. Having visited Trier on our school Europe trip, I remember thinking that "this is one place that I want to bring my family to!" For a brief history lesson, Trier was captured by the Romans in the 1st Century A.D. and named Augustus Treverorum, and basically became the capital and residence of the Western Roman Emperor Constantine in the 3rd Century! Constantine built many amazing buildings that are still there! Although we frequently hear about how far north the Romans controlled, it's amazing to see so many Roman structures mostly intact, in GERMANY! Notably, we visited the huge black gate (originally one of 4 surrounding the city) named the Porta Nigra. We also really enjoyed seeing Contantine's Basilica (his throne hall), the Roman baths, and numerous other notable places in the city. It was a great afternoon! Below you can see Kim and the kids in front of this amazing Roman gate.
Here are the kids in front of a central monument in the main town square. I can't remember what it is called, but there is a tradition that supports the idea that the apostle Mattias (who replaced Judas in the book of Acts) has his remains buried in the city.
Here the kids are posing in front of one of the smallest cars in Germany! Although it looks like a crazy little Italian car - its actually a BMW!
Isaiah enjoying his time in the main town square. This part is very German in its look. Makes for a beautiful city!
Emma and Sophie decided that they wanted hats. They said that they were cold, but this seemed a little excessive!
Emma and Sophie decided that they wanted hats. They said that they were cold, but this seemed a little excessive!
Emma and Sophie resting in the gardens in front of the beautiful Governor's Palace. Behind the Palace you can see Constantine's Basilica.
The remains of the huge Roman baths. This place also has long, intact underground passages and rooms that were only discovered and excavated earlier this century.
A closer view of the huge Basilica. Amazingly, it has survived nearly 2000 years due to its construction with hundreds of thousands of small bricks that are only and inch and a half high! These made the structure not only really strong, but hard to destroy, and useless for building material (which became the fate of many castle stones around Europe).
The kids relaxing on Constantine's foot. Pretty big guy!
See you in Luxembourg!
Jimy MacJohnson
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