June 24, 2023 - Germany
Trier Dom Cathedral

Looking at the Trier Cathedral, the oldest Christian church in Germany.  "After Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity in the Roman Empire in AD 312, his mother, Helena (now a saint), allowed part of her palace in Trier to be used as the first church on this spot.  In 326 AD, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his reign, Constantine began the construction of two great churches:  St. Peter's in Rome and this hugh cathedral in Trier -- also called St. Peter's."

"The cathedral's mighty facade is 12-th century Romanesque.
   
In the courtyard is the floor plan of the original Roman cathedral (from 380 AD) which was more than four times its present size.
   
This long stone piece was part of a 60-ton ancient granite column quarried near Frankfort -- one of four columns used in the fourth-century Roman church.
   
Looking up at the Cathedral's one tall tower, added by the archbishop so it would be taller than the nearby Church of St. Gangolf's steeple.
   
Main entrance.
   
Inside the Cathedral.
   
The problem with cathedrals is that they are so big, it's hard to photograph them, especially inside.
   
 
   
 
   
A good look at the Gothic vaulting.
   
An elaborate altar "dedicated not to a saint, but to a archbishop.  Orrnate funeral altars throughout the cathedral were a fasionable way for the powerful archbishop-electors to memorialize themselves."
 
This is the Orsbeck Altar, 1711.
   
Another beautiful altar honoring an archbishop.
   
Yet another altar.  What's the deal with that giant popsicle stick in front?
   
The Baroque west choir ceiling.
   
All must die, even the powerful.  The Grim Reaper has a perfect record and likely will maintain it for eternity.
   
An event of some sort was happening out in the cloister yard.
   
We entered the Cathedral's Treasury where all sorts of jewels and relics were on display.  These are a collection of Bishop's rings and cross necklaces.
   
St. Andrew's sandal (in a box topped with a golden foot.
   
A holy nail supposedly from the Crucifixion.
   
Jewelry box encrusted with appropriately enough, jewels.
   
Side entrance; I'm guessing this is Roman brick from the original building.
   
The north side of the Cathedral.
   
You can see the different eras of the Cathedral's construction in this picture.  The red brick rectangle is all that remains of the "enormous, original fourth-century Roman construction (at one time twice as tall as what is pictured here).  Arched bricks in the facade show the original position of Roman windows and doors.  Around this Roman nucleus, chunks were grafted on over a millennium and a half of architectural styles:  the front half of the cathedral facing the big courtyard, added in the 11th century; the choir on the back, from the 12th century; and the transept and round Baroque shrine on the far back, from the 18th century."  ... Rick Steves
   
 
   
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