Coesfeld
Encyclopedia
Coesfeld (ˈkoːsfɛlt) is the capital of the district of Coesfeld
in the German
state of North Rhine-Westphalia
.
, patron and first bishop of the diocese of Munster who was born north of Coesfeld in Billerbeck
. The day before he died, Ludger spent the night in Coesfeld and heard mass in the morning in the church he founded. He was on his way from his abbey in Essen to Münster. The road he followed passed Coesfeld and Billerbeck, and after preaching in the St. Lambert's church, 26 March 809, he travelled on to Billerbeck, where he died in the evening.
The Coesfeld St. Jacobikirche dates from the same period as the city charter. For centuries, Coesfeld was an important stopping place for pilgrims traveling one of the more popular Germanic Jakobi routes (Way of St. James
) leading from Warendorf
over Munster
(via Billerbeck) to Coesfeld, and then on via Borkum
to Wesel
on the Rhine.
managed to drive the foreign troops away and even started to build a palace in Coesfeld, but it was never finished and after he died it was torn down. He became known for his sieges of Dutch cities in his efforts for the counter reformation and started a Way of the Cross procession that still exists up to the preset day, with 18 stations of the cross
around the city. This procession was held for centuries on Whit Tuesday but is now held on Whit Sunday.
in Münsterland.
.
Coesfeld (district)
Coesfeld is a Kreis in the northwestern part of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, west of the city of Münster. Neighboring districts are Steinfurt, district-free Münster, Warendorf, district-free Hamm, Unna, Recklinghausen, Borken.- History :...
in the German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
state of North Rhine-Westphalia
North Rhine-Westphalia
North Rhine-Westphalia is the most populous state of Germany, with four of the country's ten largest cities. The state was formed in 1946 as a merger of the northern Rhineland and Westphalia, both formerly part of Prussia. Its capital is Düsseldorf. The state is currently run by a coalition of the...
.
History
Coesfeld received its city rights in 1197, but was first recorded earlier than that in the biography of St. LudgerLudger
Saint Ludger was a missionary among the Frisians and Saxons, founder of Werden Abbey and first Bishop of Münster in Westphalia....
, patron and first bishop of the diocese of Munster who was born north of Coesfeld in Billerbeck
Billerbeck
Billerbeck is a municipality in the district of Coesfeld in North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany.-Neighbor towns/cities:Billerbeck has boundaries to Rosendahl, Laer, Altenberge, Havixbeck, Nottuln and Coesfeld.-City Districts:* Stadt Billerbeck,...
. The day before he died, Ludger spent the night in Coesfeld and heard mass in the morning in the church he founded. He was on his way from his abbey in Essen to Münster. The road he followed passed Coesfeld and Billerbeck, and after preaching in the St. Lambert's church, 26 March 809, he travelled on to Billerbeck, where he died in the evening.
The Coesfeld St. Jacobikirche dates from the same period as the city charter. For centuries, Coesfeld was an important stopping place for pilgrims traveling one of the more popular Germanic Jakobi routes (Way of St. James
Way of St. James
The Way of St. James or St. James' Way is the pilgrimage route to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain, where tradition has it that the remains of the apostle Saint James are buried....
) leading from Warendorf
Warendorf
Warendorf is a town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and capital of Warendorf District.The town is best known today for its well-preserved medieval town centre, for horse-riding, and the opportunities it provides for cycling...
over Munster
Munster
Munster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the south of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial purposes...
(via Billerbeck) to Coesfeld, and then on via Borkum
Borkum
Borkum is an island and a municipality in the Leer District in Lower Saxony, northwestern Germany.-Geography:Borkum is bordered to the west by the Westerems strait , to the east by the Osterems strait, to the north by the North Sea, and to the south by the Wadden Sea...
to Wesel
Wesel
Wesel is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is the capital of the Wesel district.-Division of the town:Suburbs of Wesel include Lackhausen, Obrighoven, Ginderich, Feldmark,Fusternberg, Büderich, Flüren and Blumenkamp.-History:...
on the Rhine.
Bernhard von Galen
During the Thirty Years War, troops were stationed in Coesfelf. The Prince-bishop of Münster was often at odds with these troops. Bernhard von GalenBernhard von Galen
Christoph Bernhard Freiherr von Galen was prince-bishop of Münster. He was born into a noble Westphalian family....
managed to drive the foreign troops away and even started to build a palace in Coesfeld, but it was never finished and after he died it was torn down. He became known for his sieges of Dutch cities in his efforts for the counter reformation and started a Way of the Cross procession that still exists up to the preset day, with 18 stations of the cross
Stations of the Cross
Stations of the Cross refers to the depiction of the final hours of Jesus, and the devotion commemorating the Passion. The tradition as chapel devotion began with St...
around the city. This procession was held for centuries on Whit Tuesday but is now held on Whit Sunday.
Geography
Coesfeld is situated in the BaumbergeBaumberge
The Baumberge are the highest hills in the natural regions of Münsterland and Kernmünsterland with a maximum height of . They are located between Münster and Coesfeld, which is itself close to the southwest edge of the Baumberge....
in Münsterland.
Neighbouring municipalities
- DülmenDülmenDülmen is a municipality in the district of Coesfeld, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.-Geography:Dülmen is situated in the south part of the Münsterland area, between the Lippe river to the south, the Baumberge hills to the north and the Ems river to the east...
- HavixbeckHavixbeckHavixbeck is a municipality at the north-east edge of the Baumberge in the district of Coesfeld, in northern North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located approx. 15 km west of Münster.- Geographical Location :...
- BillerbeckBillerbeckBillerbeck is a municipality in the district of Coesfeld in North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany.-Neighbor towns/cities:Billerbeck has boundaries to Rosendahl, Laer, Altenberge, Havixbeck, Nottuln and Coesfeld.-City Districts:* Stadt Billerbeck,...
- NottulnNottulnNottuln is a municipality in the district of Coesfeld in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.-Neighbouring municipalities:* Billerbeck* Havixbeck* Senden, North Rhine-Westphalia* Dülmen* Coesfeld-Division of the municipality:...
- SendenSenden, North Rhine-WestphaliaSenden is a municipality in the district of Coesfeld, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.-Geographic location:The municipality of Senden is situated in the east of the district of Coesfeld, approx...
Education
Major secondary schools are the Nepomucenum, the Heriburg-Gymnasium and the St.-Pius-GymnasiumSt.-Pius-Gymnasium
St.-Pius-Gymnasium is a private Gymnasium in Coesfeld near Münster, Germany. As of 2005 it has approximately 690 pupils.It is named after Pope Pius X. The school is associated with the Lycée Notre-Dame in Guingamp, Brittany, France and a high school in Poole, Yorkshire, England.The school has its...
.
Persons of interest
- Hermann WedekindHermann WedekindHermann Wedekind was an artistic director at Festspiele Balver Höhle in the years 1985 - 1996.-Vita:Formerly he was a theatre director in Saarbrücken where he met Oskar Lafontaine...
(† 1998), artistic director - Anne Catherine EmmerichAnne Catherine EmmerichBlessed Anne Catherine Emmerich was a Roman Catholic Augustinian nun, stigmatic, mystic, visionary and ecstatic....
, Roman Catholic nun, visionary and stigmatic - Rudolf WoltersRudolf WoltersRudolf Wolters was a German architect and government official, known for his longtime association with fellow architect and Third Reich official Albert Speer...
(1903-1983), architect and associate of Albert SpeerAlbert SpeerAlbert Speer, born Berthold Konrad Hermann Albert Speer, was a German architect who was, for a part of World War II, Minister of Armaments and War Production for the Third Reich. Speer was Adolf Hitler's chief architect before assuming ministerial office...
.