Christmas in Germany’s oldest city
The closest city to my little home village in Germany is Trier. This is where I went to school to do my a-levels and I also studied here. I spent many lunch breaks drinking mulled wine at the Christmas market and struggling to do an afternoon double-lesson of maths after. Therefore, the Christmas market bears many great memories for me (and some occasions where I actually don’t remember everything).
This year I made it back home early, which meant I was able to experience the Christmas market back home again after years. Unfortunately, the Christmas market here closes down a couple of days prior to Christmas Eve.
Trier is often referred to as Germany’s oldest city, however there are a handful of other cities that claim they are older, most notably Worms. Either way, Trier has got a truly impressive history dating back to the late-4th century BC when it was founded by the Celts as Treuorum. It was conquered by the Romans in the late-1st century BC and renamed Trevorum or Augusta Treverorum (Latin for “The City of Augustus among the Treveri”).
Many impressive Roman ruins remain, one of them being one of the old gates of the city wall, called Porta Nigra (the black gate). It’s said to be the best preserved Roman city gate north of the Alps. The Christmas market is nestled in between the old buildings of the old market square and in front of the vast cathedral, which also dates back to Roman times. There couldn’t be a better spot to get into the Christmas spirit.
And with these wonderful impressions from my home town, I’m wishing every reader of this blog a Merry Christmas and a joyful festive season with their loved ones!
