The Porta Nigra ('Black Gate') is a monumental Roman city gate built around 170 AD from grey sandstone, and it is the best-preserved Roman city gate north of the Alps. It survived because in the Middle Ages it was converted into a church honouring the hermit monk Simeon, and in 1804 Napoleon ordered its restoration back to a Roman gate. Inscribed as part of Trier's Roman Monuments on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986, it remains the city's signature landmark; as of 2026 parts of it are under restoration scaffolding but it stays open, and visitors can still climb to the upper floors.
Roman engineering with no mortar — huge sandstone blocks held together by iron cramps, whose sockets and precise joints are still visible on the facade
The dark, weathered surface that gives the gate its name, the sandstone having oxidised and blackened over roughly 1,850 years
Views over Simeonstraße and Trier's old town from the rampart walk on the upper levels
Traces of its medieval life as the Church of St Simeon — an apse and remodelled upper storey preserving two eras, Roman and medieval, in one building
The summer costumed tour led by an actor playing a Roman centurion, 'The Secret of the Porta Nigra'
Good to know
RulesLast admission is 30 minutes before closing, and on 14 September 2026 the site opens only from 1:00 pm due to an event. Opening hours and prices change by season and event, so confirm the latest details on the official site before you go.
SeasonIn winter (Nov-Feb) it closes at 4:00 pm, giving the shortest hours, while summer (Apr-Sep) runs until 6:00 pm. From 26 June to 9 August 2026, under-18s enter free, which is handy for families.
RulesIf you plan to see three or four Roman sites or more (Amphitheatre, Imperial Baths, Rheinisches Landesmuseum, etc.), the combined 'AntikenCard' is cheaper than separate tickets.
SafetyThe forecourt and the nearby main station and shopping streets get crowded, so watch your bag against pickpockets. The interior stairs are narrow and steep with some low railings, so children and older visitors should hold the handrail and take it slowly.
CautionSome resale sites sell entry tickets at inflated prices, so buy at the on-site box office or an official vendor. Be wary of anyone in the square who offers to take your photo and then asks for a tip.
MannersAs a World Heritage monument, graffiti, touching or damaging the stone, and setting up tripods without permission are prohibited. Sound carries strongly inside, so keep quiet and follow the marked routes and signs.
SeasonRestoration scaffolding currently covers part of the exterior, which may block a clean full-facade photo. The work area changes over time, so check the current condition beforehand if photography matters to you.
Practical info
The gate is about a 5-10 minute walk from Trier Hauptbahnhof along Simeonstraße, with easy rail access from Luxembourg, Koblenz and beyond; the address is Simeonstraße 60. It opens at 9:00 am year-round and closes between 4:00 and 6:00 pm depending on season (last entry 30 minutes before), with adult admission around €6, concessions €5, ages 6-18 €3 and under-6 free — but prices and hours can change, so verify the latest details on the official site.
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