When my son was stationed in Germany, between time spent in Iraq; he took the opportunity to go to Trier, and see this basilica. He was amazed at its age, and the feeling he had, just being inside that space. Thanks for covering this - I'll be sure my son sees it. :)
This building has such astonishing acoustics today, too! One of my strongest memories of it is staying super hushed, because even a whisper begins to echo there. A fascinating space!
Even through these digital images, the building's majesty and antiquity come through forcefully. The postwar reconstruction (and I hadn't realized the basilica had been so damaged) is doubtlessly much closer to modern taste than the original realization would have been, but the scale and sense of grandeur span the structure's entire chronology.
Those extraordinary arches remind me of the entrance to the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center. Some stunning ideas never grow old and fade away, though individual human beings do!
I'm not used to hearing that a ruler intentionally divided their own kingdom - isn't it usually a struggle for unification? I guess this is what happens when you have too much power. I'm not used to such a historically significant building being so plain... I'm sure it was glorious in one of its former lives, but it is incredible that it's survived so much. Is it being used at all or just there for preservation purposes?
Sie ist 400 Jahre älter die Hagia Sofia. (Das sieht aus wie Bauhaus. Das sieht aus wie gestern errichtet.) In der Elbharmonie hört man keine Stecknadel fallen. Hier schon. Das wurde gemacht um genau zuzuhören. ☝🏻
Why was the Basilica not returned to its pre-bombed state? So much of Germany was rebuilt as before (but not in all places), just wondering why this important structure was left so "clean" looking.
But which pre-bombed state? The 19th century faux Roman state? The Rococo Palace state? The Medieval fortification? Or should we, like the 19th century, impose our own imaginative vision of what the 4th century looked like?
I think it may be because of the modern appetite for clean, minimalist spaces and the way we restore things now is to try and leave things as they are in order to respect as many layers of history as possible, not favoring one over the other (like Ancient Roman over Medieval) but instead recognizing the totality of this building's existence.
Fascinating building (in it's "modern" look) reflecting 1700 years of history. Thank you for guiding us thru the building and the history!
When my son was stationed in Germany, between time spent in Iraq; he took the opportunity to go to Trier, and see this basilica. He was amazed at its age, and the feeling he had, just being inside that space. Thanks for covering this - I'll be sure my son sees it. :)
This building has such astonishing acoustics today, too! One of my strongest memories of it is staying super hushed, because even a whisper begins to echo there. A fascinating space!
I was visiting here last month & watched this while sitting in the pews. Thank you for your knowledge, it was really inspiring.
That is wonderful to hear! It is an amazing place.
I'm so happy about these videos on Trier. There's so much history that's not as widely known as Rome for example.
In terms of its material heritage, Trier seems the most Roman of German cities.
i appreciate how this video tries to tell the whole history of the location, not only the polished-up re-romanized version of its history.
I loved the way the video presents the evolution of the basilica - great work!
i love you guys, please never stop making videos together ❤️
Even through these digital images, the building's majesty and antiquity come through forcefully. The postwar reconstruction (and I hadn't realized the basilica had been so damaged) is doubtlessly much closer to modern taste than the original realization would have been, but the scale and sense of grandeur span the structure's entire chronology.
Those extraordinary arches remind me of the entrance to the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center. Some stunning ideas never grow old and fade away, though individual human beings do!
That is the only Roman town I ever visited. That and the black gate and the arena are amazing.
OH and the baths. I went in those too.
Another thoroughly enjoyable and informative video. Wonderful narration and opening/ closing music. Keep up the good work.
So..there was Bauhaus already at that time. I am very impressed by the clean and clear design.
Boggles the mind how preserved this building is compared to Maxentius' basilica in the forum that is about as old.
😍
Fun fact, Trier was known as Augusta Treverorum to the Romans
I'm not used to hearing that a ruler intentionally divided their own kingdom - isn't it usually a struggle for unification? I guess this is what happens when you have too much power.
I'm not used to such a historically significant building being so plain... I'm sure it was glorious in one of its former lives, but it is incredible that it's survived so much. Is it being used at all or just there for preservation purposes?
It is an active church now.
Nice! I bet sermons about rebirth and strong foundations are preached there often. 😛 @@smarthistory-art-history
Sie ist 400 Jahre älter die Hagia Sofia. (Das sieht aus wie Bauhaus. Das sieht aus wie gestern errichtet.) In der Elbharmonie hört man keine Stecknadel fallen. Hier schon. Das wurde gemacht um genau zuzuhören. ☝🏻
Why was the Basilica not returned to its pre-bombed state? So much of Germany was rebuilt as before (but not in all places), just wondering why this important structure was left so "clean" looking.
But which pre-bombed state? The 19th century faux Roman state? The Rococo Palace state? The Medieval fortification? Or should we, like the 19th century, impose our own imaginative vision of what the 4th century looked like?
I think it may be because of the modern appetite for clean, minimalist spaces and the way we restore things now is to try and leave things as they are in order to respect as many layers of history as possible, not favoring one over the other (like Ancient Roman over Medieval) but instead recognizing the totality of this building's existence.
It is a Protestant Church now, so for religious reasons there is no ornamentation and the more sombre look.