Exploring ancient Trier, and sailing to Bernkastel
We spent two nights docked at Trier, Monday and Tuesday. One our first day there, we took a coach tour to Luxembourg, and the next morning we explored Trier by motocoach and on foot. I started this post with 44 photos because I had so much I wanted to tell you about, but had to cut it way back so I can catch up to what’s going on today.
Founded in 16 BC during the reign of Roman Emperor Augustus, Trier is Germany’s oldest city and an important site for ancient art treasures and monuments.
The day began cool, with a bit of fog on the Mosel River.
We were on the motorcoaches by 8:30, and began with a high viewpoint over the city and valley, where our guide pointed out some of the sites of histortic significance.
Back in the city for a walking tour, which began at Porta Nigra (Black Gate), a Roman gate which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It’s so nice to have flowers in October.
There are MacDonald’s in most cities here, but the ones in historic districts are quite well hidden.
The gorgeous fountain in the main square of Trier.
The massive Roman-era Basilica of Constantine, another of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
This palace is attached to the back of the basilica.
I’d like to know what this statue represents – I don’t think I’ve ever seen a man and baby in ancient art.
Our guide for the past 2 days, Elke, was extremely knowledgable.
I could easily spend 3 days at Trier – but, at 12:30 we were back on the ship and soon after started sailing back down the Mosel, headed for Bernkastel. This is the lobby of the River Queen.
The ship with everything dropped down to get under some very low bridges. You can see the captain’s head poking out of a hatch in the roof of the bridge to see in this configuration. The extremely high water conditions make some of the clearances very tight.
The Mosel River has many locks – I think we passed through 9 of them. Quite interesting and very efficient.
Descending the Mosel 20 feet at a time.
Ships talk to each other with those moveable blue panels, which indicate which side you are to pass on.
The trailer on the left is flying a Canadian flag.
Some of the vineyards along the Mosel are extremely steep, and some of the steepest use these little trucks to get people and supplies up and down. The run along a metal track, but I don’t know exactly how.
Above the van, you can make out the track that the little truck runs up and down.
Where there is no truck, the work is very hard, and a vineyard owner told us that Romanians are hired to do much of the work now.
I’m fascinated by the places that vineyards have been planted.
An Egypian goose at one of the locks.
This is my blogging desk on the ship – it’s tough to be me on days like this 🙂
Approaching Bernkastel at 6:30 pm.
The ruins of Landshut Castle loom over the town.
Bernkastel from our dock. I went for a walk into town this evening.
It’s very quiet at night.
Welcome back to the ship at 10:15 pm.
About The Author
