Trier

I was very excited about today! Going to Trier is an amazing experience. It’s like a mini-trip to Rome, only an hour from home. I couldn’t wait for the children to get a sense of the far reach of the Roman empire back in its glory days.

The weather was cool, but we were blessed not to have any rain.

Our first stop was the Porta Nigra (black gate). It was built between 186 and 200 AD, and narrowly avoided complete destruction by Napoleon. It had been used as a church since the middle ages, and Napoleon was bent on dissolving the church. He did dissolve the church, but (according to local legend) kept the gate since it had Roman origins.


Justin opted not to go up the long and windy staircase, so he and Steffen and I hung out in the inner court while the others climbed to the top.





We then headed out to the town square, and stopped at the Roman Baths.



Finally, the crowning glory of the day: our visit to the Roman Amphitheater. The kids had a great time tearing around the arena, climbing up the stairs to the seating, and going underneath to where the gladiators and wild animals were kept while they awaited their battles.







The kids were especially fascinated by the grates that allowed them to look under the Amphitheater.

And Nathan terrified his mom by climbing way up on the walls. He was ordered down immediately after Dad snapped the picture.


Even Justin, who wouldn't go up the stairs was climbing all over everything. (You can click on any picture to make it larger.)