Porta Nigra, Trier 
City side of the Porta Nigra at sunset, with church apse on the right.
Chapel in the former church of St. Simeon at the east end.
St. Martin and St. Ambrose carved on the second level.
The Porta Nigra is a magnificent 2nd-century Roman city gate in Trier, Germany. It was given its name (which means "black gate") in the Middle Ages because of its weathered color.
History
The oldest defensive structure in Germany, the Porta Nigra was erected in about 180 AD when the Roman city was surrounded by walls. Trier was a Roman colony from the 1st century AD and then a great trading centre beginning in the second century. It became one of the imperial capitals under the Tetrarchy at the end of the 3rd century, and became known as the "second Rome."
The Porta Nigra is the only one of four Roman gates that still stands in Trier; the others were gradually pillaged for their stone and iron. The Porta Nigra survived because it was used as the humble residence of a hermit monk named Simeon for seven years (1028-35). After his death he was buried in the gate and the structure was transformed into the two-story Church of St. Simeon (lay church on the bottom, monastery church on top).
Napoleon destroyed the church in 1803, but the 12th-century Romanesque apse survived and the entire structure has been restored to its medieval appearance.
What to See
1,700 years after its construction, the Porta Nigra is still impressive at 118 feet long, 70.5 feet wide and 90 feet high. The entire structure is made without mortar - the sandstone blocks are connected only by iron rods. The stone blocks weigh as much as six metric tons each.
Two gateways lead into a small inner courtyard, where unfortunate intruders would be trapped and covered in tar. Above are two tiers of defense galleries with large open windows. It is flanked by two towers, a four-story western tower and the three-story unfinished eastern tower.
Inside, an empty apse at the east end and carvings of church fathers like Irenaeus, Ambrose and Jerome recall the Porta Nigra's use as a church.
Next door to the Porta Nigra is the Simeonstift, the 11th-century monastery built to go along with St. Simeon's Church in the gate. The cloisters can be toured for free. The main monastery building houses the Stiftsmuseum, which has some moderately interesting displays on the history of the city, but few religious artifacts.
Festivals and Events
The feast day of St. Simeon is celebrated in Trier on June 1.
Quick Facts
| Names: | Porta Nigra (Black Gate) |
| Type of site: | Roman city gate; monastic church |
| Faith: | Early Christian |
| Status: | Museum |
| Dates: | Built c.180; Simeon 1028-35; church by 1040 |
| Architecture: | Roman with Romanesque extension |
| World Heritage: | Site 367; added in 1986 |
| Location: | Porta-Nigra-Platz, D-54292 Trier, Germany |
| Website: | www.trier.de |
| E-mail: | info@tit.de (Trier Tourist Office) |
| Hours: | Daily, Apr-Sep: 9-6; Nov-Feb: 9-4; Mar & Oct: 9-5 Last admission one hour before closing |
| Cost: | €2.10 for admission to upper levels; combo tickets available |
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of the Porta Nigra. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Trier Map or get our free Google Earth download.
Travel Resources
- Trier Hostels - search and book budget lodgings with no fees
- Trier Hotel Reviews - ratings and reviews from fellow travelers
- Trier Travel Forum - tips and advice about Trier tourism
- Trier Car Rentals - check availability and rates at AutoEurope
- Germany Rail Passes - money-saving options for train travel
Article Sources
- Personal visits (December 26, 2005; January 2, 2008).
- DK Eyewitness Travel Guide to Germany (2003), 326.
- Porta Nigra - CityGuide Trier
More Information
- Events in Religion and Philosophy - June (on St. Simeon)
- Porta Nigra Reviews - TripAdvisor.com
- Porta Nigra Reviews - VirtualTourist.com
