Tawern lies between the Moselle and Saar rivers in a broad valley that opens to the northeast towards Trier and the Moselle Valley. The town combines Roman history with a forested setting: the reconstructed temple complex stands in the forest above Vicus Tabernae, and the Roman Tour takes in both the settlement and the temple site. This combination is a defining feature when choosing a destination: Tawern offers traces of Roman history and a landscape that becomes part of the experience on a hike.
Roman Traces in Tawern
Tawern is believed to have originated around the time of the birth of Christ as a station on the Roman road from Trier to Metz. The visible roadside settlement of Vicus Tabernae is considered the heart of today’s village. At the beginning of the first century, a temple complex was built near the Roman road on the Metzenberg. Its first phase consisted of five small temples standing side by side. The largest temple housed a statue of Mercury slightly larger than life-size.
The Roman temple complex was reconstructed between 1986 and 1999. The upper terrace features a reconstructed Gallo-Roman ambulatory temple and an adjoining chapel. The complex gives a good impression of religious beliefs in antiquity. An audio guide also explains Roman life and how the site was used. The free ARGO app lets you view the temple complex in augmented reality.
Planning a Visit to the Temple Complex and Roman Tour
When planning your visit, you can consider two questions: Would you like to focus on the temple complex, or also include the vicus and the rest of the Roman Tour? The tour explores the vicus roadside settlement and the temple complex on the Metzenberg. It offers views towards Trier and passes historical excavations. It then continues through the Mannebachtal valley to the TalbachhĂĽtte hut. The temple complex is also on hiking trail G11.
A forest car park is available for visitors to the temple complex. From there, it is about a 15-minute walk to the site. As of 16 August 2026, the temple complex was freely accessible and could be visited at any time. Check access again before your trip.
Landscape and Other Local Highlights
The landscape around Tawern includes the Hardwald forest and the hills of Pflauberg, Metzenberg, Röhlert, Orschenberg, Lück and Rosenberg. The village also has a connection to the pilgrimage route: a Way of St. James pilgrim stamp is located in the tower room of St. Peter and Paul. Alongside Roman history, the landscape and a connection to pilgrimage may therefore also be of interest.
Accommodation and Getting There
Those wishing to stay overnight in a tent will find wooden platforms for one or two tents, a rest area and a composting toilet at the Roman Temple trekking campsite.
Bus services run to and from Tawern; further information is available from the Trier Region Transport Association (VRT). If your stay focuses on Roman sites, you can plan a visit to the temple complex and the Roman Tour separately or together. The walk from the forest car park to the site takes about 15 minutes; the tour broadens the experience to include the vicus, views towards Trier and the Mannebachtal valley.
Discover more destinations: Waldrach, Longuich, Pölich, Kell Am See, Leiwen, Föhren, Biebelhausen, Igel
Go to the broader travel overview: Trier-Saarburg.
