Well . . . we returned from Berlin and decided to take time for Trier. Trier is Germany's oldest city. It is on the west side near the border with Luxembourg and brags that it was inhabited by Celts for 1,300 years before Rome even existed. (That's your history lesson for today . . . thanks to the travel guru, Rick Steves . . . and his book!) Many of the Roman buildings there were constructed under Constantine before he left for Constantinople. We all thought it was a really cool place to see . . . especially since we hadn't been there before.
If you look closely, you'll see some of us at the base of the Porta Nigra . . . the black gate. This is the most impressive Roman fortification in Germany and was built without mortar - only iron pegs hold it together! This was one of 4 gates huge gates in the town's 4 mile wall. Only this one survived medieval stone and metal scavengers. You'll find out why under the next picture. :o) 
They call it the black gate because it obviously looks black . . . darkened by time and grit of life. The Porta Nigra survived because it became a church. St. Simeon - a Greek recluse - lived inside the gate for 7 years. After his death, the St. Simeon monastery was established and the gate was made into a 2 story church. Church on the bottom and monastery on the top. Cool, huh?!
Once inside the gate . . . some of the beautiful sites. The streets are cobblestone and the flowers are gorgeous!!!
Kate, John and Mac peaking around in the market square.
A look down the street to the cathedral.
The kids and John in front of the cathedral. The oldest Christian church in Germany. It is actually quite huge - this picture doesn't really show the size. In A.D. 326 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his reign, Constantine began construction of St. Peter's in Rome and this huge cathedral in Trier - also called St. Peter's. The original Roman cathedral was more than 4 times the size of it now. Quite impressive!
Katelyn and Lydia at the Imperial Baths. 
The biggest of Trier's three Roman baths.
John, Kate, and Mac . . . thank goodness they aren't inside the Roman baths - that would make for quite the picture!!!ENJOY!!!
Now, that's one cool historic city... soooo Euro beautiful and so many neat sights/sites. I am glad to see it from your perspective -- it was on our trip list, but we just never made it down there. Can you explain how those German flower boxes always look so perfect?! K8's summer dress is awfully cute, too! xoxo
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