Originally a city gate, then a church and now a monument: the Porta Nigra, or black gate, the largest and best-preserved Roman city gate north of the Alps, is now Trier's most famous landmark. As is often the case with historical monuments, the building was never actually finished. Given the technical capabilities of the time, this is hardly surprising. For an opportunity to delve deep into the gate's past, you can take a tour with a real centurion in parade uniform to discover the Porta Nigra secret.

An enthralling show based on historical sources, Hercules and the Queen of the Amazons take place in the amphitheatre that witnessed combat between Roman gladiators some 1,8oo years ago. It will be just one highlight of Trier's Bread and Circuses' Roman festival in September. The festival presents the diversity of that age: mythology and astronomy, traditional craftsmanship, Romans going about their everyday lives and legionnaires at exercise. Taverns - of course serving 'genuine' Roman fare - provide a place to relax and watch the world go by. Children will have fun practising their archery skills, minting coins, trying on chain mail costumes and making their own jewellery.

The impressive ruins of the Imperial Thermal Baths, along with the derelict rooms and the walls of previous structures, are among the most important to have been discovered in Trier. Today a visit to the thermal baths, which can also be explored below ground, is like stepping back in time. The walls of the hot bath (caldarium) are deservedly part of this famous landmark in Trier. After the one in Rome, the Imperial Thermal Baths and St. Barbara Roman Baths were once among the largest bathing complexes in the Roman empire. The 'Betrayal at the Thermals' tour takes visitors on an exciting journey back to a near forgotten age.

The TUFA is a regional arts centre and cabaret theatre set in the former Weber textile factory. The cultural workshop association was formed by groups, bands, ensembles and solo artists who did not have access to rehearsal studios, exhibition rooms or performance venues. Tufa e.V. is the umbrella body which now represents 25 individual associations covering the entire cultural spectrum and complements the programme with its own events, mainly in the field of cabaret. This collaboration ensures that the events, courses and workshops on offer explore a wide range of themes.

Redesigned in 2005, the permanent exhibition provides a vivid and accessible tour of Karl Marx (1818-1883) the man, his place in history and the development of his philosophical and economic ideas. Key works such as 'The Communist Party Manifesto' and 'Das Kapital' are placed in their 19th-century context.

Opening times:

November-March: Monday 2pm-5pm, Tuesday-Sunday 11am-5pm; April-October: daily 10am-6pm, first Friday of the month 10am-8pm

The museum traces the history of this episcopal church with outstanding exhibits such as altars and tombs. Of particular interest are the finds and models relating to early Christian church architecture. An indisputable highlight of the collection are the Constantine ceiling paintings from a Roman palace that lies beneath the cathedral.

Opening times:

Tuesday-Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday & public holidays 1pm-5pm

As the central research institute for archaeological activity in Trier and the surrounding region, the museum offers a first-hand insight into how people used to live. Thousands of items are displayed in a diverse and constantly changing exhibition. World-famous finds – among them magnificent mosaics, ancient cemetery monuments standing several metres tall, and the largest hoard of Roman gold ever discovered – all bear witness to Trier's illustrious past.

Opening times:

Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm

The core collection comprises significant donations from noted Trier residents. The other collections, divided into pictures, sculpture, artefacts, Coptic textiles, furniture and East Asian figurines, are equally wide-ranging. The focus of the permanent exhibition is on the history of Trier. A busy schedule of one-off exhibitions is dedicated to Trier artists or subjects related to the city.

Opening times:

Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm