We set off at 9.30.a.m. in foggy weather which cleared at times. In just under two hours’ travelling, we left France, went across Belgium and Luxembourg and arrived in Trier in Germany when all traces of fog lifted upon our arrival. Although we have lived in north-eastern France for seven years now, it still surprises us that we can so quickly pass through so many different countries.
Trier is the oldest town in Germany and boasts some beautiful and fascinating architecture, not least a gateway built by the Romans in 200 AD. Once white, by mediaeval times it had turned black so its name was changed to Porta Nigra.
A little road train goes from this point on a tour of the streets surrounding the centre and past the cathedral (The Dom), the impressive ruins of the Roman Baths and a long mediaeval wall. It also passes a white house in which Karl Marx was born and a Synagogue which replaced one destroyed by the Nazis.
The ‘train’ returns to the same place - in front of the Porta Nigra at the top of the main centre road lined with shops and cafes with the permanent market square at the bottom. The fountain and its statue there have been recently refurbished and its gilding glows in the hot sun which now shines for a clear sky.
A little street theatre
After a delicious lunch at a café in the market square, we walked up a side street to The Dom and its adjacent church both of which are fascinating both inside and out.
The following two photos were taken inside the church next to the cathedral.
We returned to the market square and the nearby car park and set off again through lovely countryside in Germany alongside the beautiful River Mosel, with a view of the surprising number of vineyards in Luxembourg as the hills slope to the river which is the border between the two countries. We later crossed a bridge back into Luxembourg to the pretty place of Réimech.
From there, a drive to Schengen where Germany, Luxembourg and France meet. It was here on a boat on the Mosel that the Schengen Treaty was signed allowing open borders throughout most of the E.U. We visited the Schengen museum.
Soon after, we left Luxembourg and were back in France, returning to our little part of it at 7.00.p.m. A long day but an interesting and enjoyable one. Our thanks to Emilie and Roger!
I think you are lucky to live near a border as you do - such variety of language and customs in so small a space. I don't know Trier, but from the photographs it looks a fascinating place, and in many ways typical of South-Western Germany. The churches can be very ornate and beautifully decorated too. It must have been a great day out, well captured by your lovely photographs.
ReplyDeleteApart from a very brief visit to some gardens by the Rhine a couple of years ago, this is our first time in Germany and yes, Trier is indeed fascinating. Many thanks, Alison.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the descriptions and photos. They compliment each other to give me a sense of being there.
ReplyDeleteI followed a link in The Australia Times poetry magazine to find your blog. Congratulations on having your poem published. TAT has published my poetry before. My blog is where I post my poetry: http://dataeterrata.blogspot.com/
Hi Al - many thanks for your comments on this piece...a nice surprise and much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteI have made a note of your blog address and will pop in later!
Cheers.
Ida