Münster: Prinzipalmarkt

Münster is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located in the northern part of the state and is considered to be the cultural centre of the Westphalia region. Population: 269.105 (30.06.2003), area 302.83 km². In 2003, Münster hosted the Central European Olympiad in Informatics (CEOI).

The University of Münster is fourth biggest and one of the oldest universities in Germany.

History

The name derives from the Latin monasterium (monastery) and refers to the founding of the bishopric of Münster by Charlemagne (793). In the Middle Ages Münster was a leading member of the Hanseatic League. In 1534 the Anabaptists took power in the Münster Rebellion and founded a democratic proto-socialistic state. The town was recaptured in 1535; the Anabaptists were tortured to death, their dead bodies were exhibited in cages, which hung from St. Lamberti's steeple.

The signing of the Peace of Westphalia of 1648 at Münster and Osnabrück guaranteed the future of the prince-bishop and the diocese; the area was to be exclusively Roman Catholic.

In 1802 Münster was conquered by Prussia during the Napoleonic Wars. It became the capital of the Prussian province of Westphalia.

In World War II Münster was mostly destroyed by Allied air raids, but it was rebuilt after the war in an ancient style.

Was the residence of American artist Moondog.

In 2004, Münster won the LivCom-Award for Liveable Communities. See the leaflet (.pdf) and the 10-min.-long DivX-coded film: the 48mb-version or the 87mb-version from the official Münster-homepage

Sights

• Prinzipalmarkt, marketplace in the city centre, with the town hall (14th century)
• Saint Paulus Cathedral, 13th century, with an astronomical clock of 1540
• Saint Lamberti, church (1375); the cages, which once exhibited the bodies of the Anabaptists, still hang from the steeple
• Castle, built 1767-87 as residence for the bishop, now the administrative center for the University.

Buildings and Structures

• Fernmeldeturm

City boroughs

• Coerde
• Kinderhaus
• Sprakel
• Handorf
• Gelmer
• Wolbeck
• Gremmendorf
• Angelmodde
• Hiltrup
• Amelsbüren
• Berg Fidel
• Mecklenbeck
• Albachten
• Gievenbeck
• Roxel
• Nienberge
• Häger

City Mottos (running gag)

• Either it's raining, or the bells are ringing. If both: then it's Sunday.
• There's a pub opening up.

External links

• City's official homepage
• City Panoramas - Panoramic Views of Münster's Highlights
• 7Grad.org - Bunkers in Muenster - History of Muenster's air raid shelters
• Central European Olympiad in Informatics 2003 - hosted in Münster