Trier's Roman ampitheater was cleverly built into a hillside on the city's outskirts to take advantage of the incline and provide for easier construction of seating. Work on the ampitheater began around 100, and for years to come decorative touches were added. After Rome's fall, in the middle ages the ampitheater's impressive vaulted entrance portals and other features were quarried for new constructions. Despite this dismantling, the Monkey was still able to get a clear sense of the ampitheater's dimensions. In its day, Trier's ampitheater held an estimated 20,000 spectators.
The Monkey is blinded by Trier's midday sunshine as he inspects the Porta Nigra (Black Gate), Trier's most famous Roman remnant. The Porta Nigra was constructed in the 2nd Century and served as a gate in the 7 meter-high city walls that went up along with it. In the 11th Century the Porta was reconfigured as a church. Today, it stands at one end of a pedestrianized shopping street and serves as a focus of attention for visitors and locals alike. With this photo, the Monkey has to say "auf Wiedersehen" to his German friends for now. But he'll return.
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