Wednesday, May 9 ... Trier

We departarted Tyrol/Bavaria and started to head north.  We spent a lot of time driving, but we did make a stop in Trier. 

Located near the Germany-Luxembourg border, Trier is the oldest city in Germany; the first settlement dates back to about 2,000 BC. 

There are Roman ruins evident all around the city, most notably, the baths, the bridge and the Porta Nigra.

The Roman Bridge, or Römerbrücke, traverses the Mosel River (the Mosel is the sister river of the Rhine).  The Römerbrücke is the oldest standing bridge in Germany and dates back to the second century.

Another significant structure is the Porta Nigra.

The Porta Nigra was, at one time, one of four Roman gates into the city.  The sandstone construction dates back to 186 AD.  Pollution (and, let's face it, age...) has been responsible for blackening of the stone.

At this point, the heavens opened up and it started to pour ... so much for sightseeing in Trier.  It's back in the car for us!