One of our favorite over the years is going to Trier in Germany. It is considered the oldest city there, and it is wonderful. I have several posts on it in my blog but would like to tell you a bit more on the main market square or Hauptmarkt of Trier !! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
Over the years, we have been to Trier, from way back in our European escapes coming over from the USA , before living in
France. Our nostalgic favorite German City , and the oldest indeed ! Many family memories here to make a blog ! The one area you need to visit and walk all over it is the main square or Hauptmarkt a gorgeous with many fountains and statues of great architecture beauty , It is located in the historic city center directly in front of the cathedral city in what is now the district of Mitte/Gartenfeld. The most important shopping streets of the city meet here.
The Hauptmarkt or Main Market Square of Trier has been in this place since the 10C when Archbishop Heinrich I moved the Market Cross from the river to its present site, in 958!. The original of the cross is in the Municipal Museum; the column shaft is a recycled granite column from the Romanasque Cathedral. The main market square was the medieval center for trade. Today it is still the main focal point of the city with its beautiful facades which have been lovingly restored, its shops and many cafès. The main urban shopping streets meet here in the square.
In December, the Christmas market is also held here and in the square outside the cathedral. Standing in the market square and looking around one can take in so many wonderful sights, like the market fountain, Petrus-Brunnen, from 1595, shows St Peter who is the patron saint of the city, and the cathedral, he is surrounded by the four cardinal virtues of Justice, Temperence, Prudence and Fortitude, as female figures around the central pillar of the fountain and as a contrast to them, small monkeys (Vices). In between the virtue figures are cherubs and animals such as geese, lions, dolphins and eagles. There is also a coat of arms and various decorative elements. In 1982-83 the fountain was extensively renovated, and in 2004 it received a new paint job. Every year at the beginning of the Old Town Festival the figure of St. Peter is presented with a bunch of flowers to ensure good weather for the holidays.
The market cross stands on an old Roman column, which from 1200 also served as a pillory, which was a symbol for the market court. Four holes can still be seen today, to which chains with collars, shackles and a stone of shame were attached. Reports from the middle of the 14C testify to allegedly two further pillory. The original market Cross is exhibited in the Simeonstift Municipal Museum (see post) since 1964. The Trier market cross is probably the oldest of the medieval market crosses in Europe, most of which have been preserved in Belgium and France. The Petrusbrunnen or Peter’s spring fountain in the southern area of the square, created by the sculptor Hans Ruprecht Hoffmann in 1594/95, stands at the intersection of Grabenstrasse and Dietrichstrasse streets. On its top stands a figure of the city’s patron saint, Peter, which gave the fountain its name. The four cardinal virtues are grouped over a hexagonal basin, namely Justitia, with sword and scales, Fortitudo , strength, with a broken column, Temperantia , moderation, with wine and water, and Sapientia, wisdom, with mirror and line. Between them are figures of virtue, putti, animals (geese, lions, dolphins, eagles, monkeys), the city coat of arms and various decorative elements. The coat of arms of the Diocese of Trier (a red cross on silver) is also included, with the coat of arms of Bishop Johann VII von Schönenberg (three silver crosses on black) small in the middle. In addition to its decorative function, the fountain originally served to supply water and was fed by the water pipe from the so-called Herrenbrünnchen. Only since the installation of a central water supply in Trier has it been purely an ornamental fountain.
Just off the Hauptmarkt is the market afar the Church of St Gangolf which is, after the cathedral, the oldest church in Trier. The first church was built in 958 but was later replaced by a new building in 1284-1344. The present day late- Gothic church has emerged from a renovation started in 1500. Baroque elements were added in 1731 and 1746. There is a short walk along Sternstrasse which takes you from the Hauptmarkt into the square in front of the Cathedral, the Domplatz. The atmosphere as you walk through the market square is friendly and lively, alongside all the ornate buildings of Trier ,and modern shops and cafes and all blend so well together. Trier is a city but here in the pedestrian heart there is a cosy and welcoming feel to the place. A great city to visit and explore for sure!
The main market or Hauptmarkt was a place for selling goods and trading in the medieval town.Two-thirds of the market surrounds with houses from the Renaissance, Baroque, Classicism and late historicism have been preserved. Today, numerous large and representative buildings are characteristic of the city, including the Hauptwache and the former cathedral hotel in the Neo-Renaissance style of German origin. There is also the Steipe, a town house built around 1430 and (after it was completely destroyed in WWII) rebuilt in the 20C with the help of “creative monument preservation” and today the representation house of the city council as well as the Red House with the saying about the legendary founding Trier through Trebeta. The church of St. Gangolf is only accessible from the market through a baroque gate and is otherwise completely rebuilt.
Two wonderful Festivals we have been here are the Old Town Festival ,which extends from the Porta Nigra in the north to the Viehmarkt or cattle market in the south at the end of June, with the tradition of pinning a bouquet of flowers to the figure of Saint Peter to ensure nice weather on the holidays, and our favorite the Christmas market in December
The city of Trier on its heritage; https://www.trier.de/kultur-freizeit/geschichte/ueberblick/
The Trier tourist office on the Main Market Square : https://www.trier-info.de/en/places-of-interest/main-market
The Germany tourist office on Trier: https://www.germany.travel/en/cities-culture/trier.html
There you go folks ,the Hauptmarkt is gorgeous with many fountains and statues of great architecture beauty, stop by ,shop ,have a glass of wine and marvel at the beautiful architecture and history all around you, Again, hope you enjoy this post on the Hauptmarkt of Trier as I.
And remember,happy travels, good health,and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 