Day 3 – On the train to Trier

Porta Nigra

  

I had booked tickets to Trier several months ago.  They were perfect for our needs.  We had to change trains once and there was a decent time between arrival and departure of the two trains.  All good in theory.  Deutsche Bahn (the train operator) then decided to change the timetable, and I had to change the route we were going.  The route required a change of train at Mannheim. All good except for 6 minute gap between the arrival of our first train and departure of the next train.  I told the others it would be tight so be prepared to move fast.  The morning of departure I had a notification that the connection was no longer available because the first train would arrive too late.  I booked the same journey for a little later.  After a discussion with the team we decided to get the original train so that we would have plenty time for the next one.  And we could get a coffee while we waited. 

 

The original train left on time.  It arrived only a minute late in Mannheim so I said to the others let’s see if we can get to next train in the 5 minutes we had.  So four people, all of whom are well past their prime moved remarkably fast and just got the earlier train.  All well and good I thought despite the lack of coffee.  We had a seat.  Then our ticket was checked. 

 

The lovely guard said  in broken English “Do you  realise that this portion of the train stops at Saarbrucken”?

“No” I responded, what should I do?”

“There are two options get off at Kaiserslautern and move to the train in front as that goes onto Trier or get off at Saarbrucken.  The train stops at Kaiserslautern for 9 minutes and at Saarbrucken it stops for 5 mins” she said far less fluently that I have suggested.  In fact, I had to question her some more to be sure about what I was told. 

 

We opted for the 9-minute stop.  The new portion of the train was very full and we ended up in seats all over the place so that we could be near our bags. 

 

If we thought that was bad a few stops further on it became standing room only.  About an hour and a half later we arrived in Trier very ready to get out of the crowded regional train.  On the plus side we got to travel up the lovely Saar valley. 

 

After lunch at the train station, we found our way to the hotel.  Across road from our hotel was the Porta Nigra.  Trier was founded by the Romans and is reputedly the oldest city in Germany.  Porta Nigra was part of the fort of the city from Roman times and served as the gate to the city.  I was rather entranced by this relic of history. 

 

Karl Marx was born in Trier and by accident I found a statue of him next to the Porta Nigra. 

Karl Marx statue

Information about him. 

 

Later the siblings went into the town centre for a drink.  I went along a little later and the town square was buzzing.  It was Friday night and it was warm.  I think everyone just wanted to enjoy a drink in the perfect spring conditions. It took me a little while to find them as the directions I was given were not very accurate.  Eventually I decoded the it and managed to find them. 

 

After the drink we walked to a place by the Mosel/Moselle where there were several inns and restaurants overlooking the river.  We had a huge meal at a Croatian Restaurant.  The food was interesting but not great but situation made up for the quality.  

 

Party time in the town square

Having a drink

Enjoying the last of the sun by the Mosel

A Roman aquaduct


 

Comments

  1. Susan20 April 2026 at 05:04

    I love the history of these places. Michael and I are enjoying the blog.

    ReplyDelete

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