PORTA NIGRA
The Porta Nigra is the original Roman gate built along one of four walls around Trier.
This gate was built in the late 2nd century AD.
The Porta Nigra is the last remaining portion of the original Roman wall,
as the rest was demolished by the Medieval Church for use in Church buildings.
Originally made from sandstone, the gate acquired its black color
from air pollution caused by Roman wood fire smoke.
Thus it acquired the name meaning, "Black Gate."


The gate to the city,
the Porta Nigra.
One corridor inside
the Porta Nigra.

Arch detail in the
Porta Nigra.
Column top detail, restored in
the Porta Nigra.

Looks like what may have been
a fountain or water basin.
After the Church claimed the
Porta Nigra, this was the apse.

A seat or altar.
A restored section as it looked
when built by the Romans.



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