- Trier
Those who once sparked great unrest at Kornmarkt will probably never be able to settle the historic records. These include Karl Marx’s father, Heinrich, who was a member of the liberal Kasinogesellschaft (Casino Society) in the 19th century, and thus caused quite the stir during the restrictive Prussian days.
The building (rebuilt after the war) at the southern end of the square today still (at least from the outside) serves as structural evidence of the Prussian influence in 19th-century Trier. At the opposite corner of the square stands a tall cedar, which was also the object of public upheaval in 2003. As part of the redesign of the square at the time, the old tree was due to be felled. But the massive civic protests were ultimately successful, and the cedar today remains one of the most striking sights at the Kornmarkt. Aside from the casino, its only rival could be the old main post office at the western end of the square, which was originally built in 1880, and then had two wings added 30 years later.
The modern-day ‘ruckus’ is more of a social nature, with the Kornmarkt being a popular meeting place for young and old, especially during the summer months. While the adults sit on the terraces of the surrounding restaurants and cafés, the children use the square’s little strip of water to play in. If they could talk, both the casino and the old cedar would no doubt approve of this use.
