Porta Nigra

It doesn’t even really matter that we don’t know for sure how the Romans themselves named the gate. Because what we do know is that it has been called Porta Nigra for at least 900 years. It has been part of our UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986. And we here in Trier have been its biggest fan since time immemorial – though we do also welcome other enthusiasts into our club, as long as you have experienced our ‘Pochta’ (the name the people of Trier use for the gate) in real life. By that we mean you have touched its stones, scaled its heights and admired its contrasts. That you have walked from the light-filled halls of the upper levels to the dark rooms on the ground floor. That you have traced its secrets from its monumental ancient blocks to its filigree Baroque reliefs. And that you have felt mildly dizzy standing in the gate interior courtyard, staring up and trying to grasp the scale of it all. We promise it will make your jaw drop.

A must for: Tourists. Locals. Women. Men. Children of all ages. History enthusiasts. History newbies. Romans. Non-Romans. Lovers of detail. Fans of the wider world. In short: EVERYONE!

UNESCO World Heritage Site: 100%
Great views of the old town: 60% (level 1), 90% (level 2), 100% (level 3)
Physical activity: 40%


PSSSST! THE INSIDER TIP:
‘The secret of the Porta Nigra’: A real Roman centurion, played by a trained actor, will take you on an exciting and entertaining journey into the past. You’ll defend the Porta against attacking enemies, practise your fierce-sounding soldier’s voice, and get a taste of the tough everyday life of a centurion.

Header: Alex Tihonovs/shutterstock.com