Here we are: right in front of the Porta Nigra in Trier! It consists of over 7,000 stones and used to be a Roman city gate. From the top we have a good overview of the city, which we would explore in the next few days: Trier, the oldest city in Germany.

We, Latin students from grade 7, had set out to travel to the former imperial city. At first, no one was really looking forward to the long train ride, but it ended up being a lot of fun. Everyone also settled in quickly at the hostel, because there was a lot of sports to do, table tennis, basketball, soccer, etc., and there was good food.

What was there to see in Trier? Because the Roman Emperor Constantine ruled here, there were the luxuries of a large Roman city: thermal baths and an amphitheater and, of course, the traces of everyday Roman life – traces in the truest sense, since a giant foot of the Emperor Constantine pointed us to the most important places. We could see a real gold treasure, found only in 1993 and very valuable. Creepy were the Roman tombs under a church – and strange that despite these tombs, the church is now a gymnasium.

The highlight was a performance in the amphitheater! Actor Tim Olrik Stöneberg took on the role of gladiator Valerius and told us and acted out how he became a gladiator and fought his friend Metellus. He started in the backstage area under the arena and then took us through the whole amphitheater, so we felt how big it is! Finally, we got to talk to him and some got to try out the Secutor's helmet and Retiarius' net.

Vale, Trier! It was a wonderful week in the world of the Romans!