# Trier

> city in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany

**Wikidata**: [Q3138](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3138)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trier)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/trier

## Summary
Trier is a city in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, and one of the country's oldest cities, founded by the Romans in 16 BCE as Augusta Treverorum. It serves as a cultural and economic hub in the region, with a population of 112,737 as of 2023. Trier is renowned for its well-preserved Roman monuments, including the Porta Nigra and the Cathedral of Trier.

## Key Facts
- **Founded**: 16 BCE as Augusta Treverorum by the Romans.
- **Area**: 117.07 km² (2016) and 117.06 km² (2017).
- **Population**: 112,737 (2023), with historical peaks such as 114,914 (2015) and lows like 2,677 (1697).
- **Coordinates**: 49.75565° N, 6.63935° E.
- **Elevation**: 141 meters above sea level.
- **Country**: Germany (since 1945), previously part of Nazi Germany, the Weimar Republic, and the Roman Empire.
- **State**: Rhineland-Palatinate (since 2000).
- **Website**: [https://www.trier.de/](https://www.trier.de/) (German).
- **Mayor**: Wolfram Leibe (Social Democratic Party of Germany, since 2015).
- **Twin Cities**: Metz, Pula, Ascoli Piceno, Gloucester, Fort Worth, Weimar, Nagaoka, Mbabane.
- **Memberships**: Climate Alliance (since 1994), Mayors for Peace (since 2010), City Diet Rhineland-Palatinate, QuattroPole.
- **UNESCO Sites**: Trier’s Roman monuments, including the Imperial Roman Baths and the Basilica of Constantine.
- **Historical Names**: Augusta Treverorum, Treveris, Triers.

## FAQs
- **What is Trier’s historical significance?**  
  Trier is Germany’s oldest city, founded by the Romans in 16 BCE. It served as a key imperial residence and trade hub in the Roman Empire and later became part of the Holy Roman Empire and Electorate of Trier.

- **What are Trier’s most famous landmarks?**  
  The city is home to UNESCO-listed Roman structures like the Porta Nigra, the Cathedral of Trier (Germany’s oldest church), and the Imperial Baths. It also features medieval architecture and the Moselle River.

- **How has Trier’s population changed over time?**  
  The population fluctuated from 10,000 (1363) to 43,506 (1900), dropped to 57,599 by 1945, and grew to 112,737 by 2023, reflecting historical events like the Thirty Years’ War and post-WWII growth.

- **What cities is Trier twinned with?**  
  Trier is twinned with Metz (France), Pula (Croatia), Ascoli Piceno (Italy), Gloucester (UK), Fort Worth (USA), Weimar (Germany), Nagaoka (Japan), and Mbabane (Eswatini).

- **What organizations is Trier part of?**  
  It is a member of the Climate Alliance (since 1994), Mayors for Peace (since 2010), and the City Diet of Rhineland-Palatinate, and participates in the QuattroPole network.

## Why It Matters
Trier is a living museum of Roman history and a cornerstone of German cultural heritage. Its ancient monuments, including multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites, attract millions of visitors annually, driving regional tourism and economic activity. As a city that has endured through multiple empires and regimes, Trier symbolizes historical resilience and continuity. Its membership in climate and peace organizations underscores its modern role in sustainability and international cooperation.

## Notable For
- **Roman Heritage**: Home to the largest Roman ruins north of the Alps, including the Porta Nigra and the Basilica of Constantine.
- **Oldest Church in Germany**: The Cathedral of Trier, built on a 4th-century foundation.
- **Cultural Hub**: Hosts the Trier Summer Festival and the Karl Marx Festival, celebrating its native philosopher.
- **Wine Region**: Situated in the Moselle wine-growing area, producing Riesling wines.
- **Resilience**: Survived destruction in the Thirty Years’ War and WWII, preserving its architectural legacy.

## Body

### History
- **Roman Era**: Founded in 16 BCE as *Augusta Treverorum*, Trier became a provincial capital and imperial residence by the 3rd century CE. Emperor Constantine ruled from the city, leaving behind the Basilica and baths.
- **Medieval Period**: Part of the Holy Roman Empire (962–1797) and the Electorate of Trier, a prince-bishopric that wielded significant political power.
- **Modern Era**: Annexed by France (1794–1815), then Prussia (1815–1945). Survived WWII with minimal damage, preserving its historical core.

### Geography & Demographics
- **Location**: Situated on the Moselle River, bordered by the Eifel and Hunsrück hills.
- **Area**: 117.07 km² (2016), with a population density of ~963 residents/km² (2023).
- **Population Trends**: Grew from 10,000 (1363) to 112,737 (2023), with notable declines during the Thirty Years’ War (1697: 2,677) and post-WWII recovery.

### Governance & Economy
- **Administration**: A district-free city in Rhineland-Palatinate, governed by Lord Mayor Wolfram Leibe (SPD) since 2015.
- **Economy**: Driven by tourism, viticulture, and education (University of Trier, founded 1970). Hosts the SWT-Arena and Moselstadion for sports and events.

### Culture & Landmarks
- **UNESCO Sites**: The Roman Imperial Monuments (1986), including the Porta Nigra, Imperial Baths, and Constantine’s Basilica.
- **Religious Significance**: The Cathedral of Trier houses a relic of Jesus’ robe, attracting pilgrims since the 12th century.
- **Festivals**: Trier Summer Festival (classical music), Karl Marx Festival (honoring the philosopher born there in 1818).

### Infrastructure & Education
- **Transport**: Connected via the A1 and A48 autobahns, with a railway station on the Saarbrücken–Koblenz line.
- **Education**: Home to the University of Trier (founded 1473, reestablished 1970) and the Trier University of Applied Sciences.

### International Relations
- **Twinning**: Partnerships with cities like Metz (France, 1956) and Fort Worth (USA, 1987) foster cultural exchanges.
- **Global Initiatives**: Active in the Climate Alliance (since 1994) and Mayors for Peace (since 2010), promoting sustainability and nuclear disarmament.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.trier.de/rathaus-buerger-in/stadtverwaltung/oberbuergermeister/)
2. archINFORM
3. [Source](https://www.pula.hr/hr/vodici/medunarodna-suradnja/o-odsjeku/medunarodna-suradnja/gradovi-pobratimi/)
4. [Source](http://viaf.org/viaf/data/viaf-20170101-links.txt.gz)
5. BnF authorities
6. Virtual International Authority File
7. [Source](http://www.klimabuendnis.org/nc/kommunen/das-netzwerk.html)
8. [Source](http://www.mayorsforpeace.org/english/membercity/map/europe.html)
9. [Source](https://www.staedtetag-rlp.de/wir-ueber-uns/portraet/)
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. Czech National Authority Database
12. MusicBrainz
13. [Source](http://www.statistik.rlp.de/fileadmin/dokumente/berichte/A1033_201522_hj_G.pdf)
14. [Source](https://www.destatis.de/DE/ZahlenFakten/LaenderRegionen/Regionales/Gemeindeverzeichnis/Administrativ/Aktuell/05Staedte.html)
15. [Alle politisch selbständigen Gemeinden mit ausgewählten Merkmalen am 31.12.2018 (4. Quartal). Federal Statistical Office of Germany](https://www.destatis.de/DE/ZahlenFakten/LaenderRegionen/Regionales/Gemeindeverzeichnis/Administrativ/Archiv/GVAuszugQ/AuszugGV4QAktuell.html)
16. DESTATIS 1975
17. [Federal Statistical Office of Germany](https://www.statistikportal.de/de/produkte/gemeindeverzeichnis)
18. [Source](https://www.destatis.de/DE/Themen/Laender-Regionen/Regionales/Gemeindeverzeichnis/Administrativ/04-kreise.html)
19. register of German municipalities (4th quarter 2022)
20. register of German municipalities (2022)
21. register of German municipalities (2023)
22. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
23. GeoNames
24. directory of German Library Codes
25. [Source](https://www.bues-trier.de/images/Organigramme/2025_2_Organigramm_BU%CC%88S.pdf)
26. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/de.htm)
27. [Source](https://it-ch.topographic-map.com/map-zkks3q/Treviri/?zoom=19&center=49.75226%2C6.63317&popup=49.75236%2C6.63321)
28. [Source](https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/treviri)
29. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
30. Enciclopedia Treccani
31. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
32. Dizionario di Storia
33. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands
34. museum-digital