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SprecherThe Porta Nigra is probably one of the most important landmarks of the city of Trier, which is well known for its Roman history.
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SprecherIt formed one of a total of four city gates and was considered the most imposing of them.
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SprecherThe 36-meter wide double gate system is still considered one of the best preserved city gates of the Roman Empire.
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SprecherConstruction began in 170 A.D., but this was only discovered in 2018 thanks to a new technical process.
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SprecherIt is believed that the construction took about two years and was probably never properly completed.
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SprecherA total of about 7,200 stone blocks were used, the largest of which weigh up to six tons each.
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SprecherThe "Porta Nigra" - which translates as "Black Gate" - probably got its name from the black coloring of the sandstone caused by weathering.
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SprecherThis name however is much younger than the building itself.
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SprecherOver the years, there have been various extensions, which were gradually added to the city gate and later demolished again under Napoleon.
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SprecherToday, Porta Nigra is home to the city's central information centre and offers a variety of events and guided tours.