Münster
Encyclopedia
Münster (ˈmʏnstɐ) is an independent 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. It is also capital of the local government region Münsterland
. The city is best known as the location of the Anabaptist rebellion
during the Protestant Reformation
, as the site of the signing of the Treaty of Westphalia ending the Thirty Years' War
in 1648, and as the bicycle capital of Germany.
Münster gained the status of a Großstadt (major city) with more than 100,000 inhabitants in 1915. Currently there are around 270,000 people living in the city, with about 48,500 students, only some of whom are recorded in the official population statistics as having their primary residence in Münster.
sent out Ludger
as a missionary to evangelise the Münsterland
. In 797, Ludger founded a school that later became the Cathedral School. Gymnasium Paulinum
traces its history back to the school He was ordained as the first bishop of Münster. The first cathedral was completed by 850. The combination of ford and crossroad, market place, episcopal administrative centre, library and school, established Münster as an important centre. In 1040, Heinrich III
became the first king in Münster.
Münster was a leading member of the Hanseatic League
.
In 1534, the Anabaptist
s led by John of Leiden
, took power in the Münster Rebellion
and founded a democratic proto-socialistic state. They claimed all property, burned all books except the Bible, and called it the "New Jerusalem". John of Leiden believed he would lead the elect from Münster to capture the entire world and purify it of evil with the sword in preparation for the Second Coming of Christ and the beginning of the Millennium. However, the town was recaptured in 1535; the Anabaptists were tortured to death, their corpses were exhibited in cages, which can still be seen hanging on the Tower of St. Lambert's steeple.
Part of the signing of the Peace of Westphalia
of 1648 was held in Münster. This ended the Thirty Years' War
. It also guaranteed the future of the prince-bishop and the diocese; the area was to be exclusively Roman Catholic.
(today called "Westphalian Wilhelms-University", WWU) was established, now a major European centre for excellence in education and research with large faculties in the arts, humanities, theology, sciences, business and law. Currently there are about 40,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled. In 1802 Münster was conquered by Prussia
during the Napoleonic Wars
. It became the capital of the Prussian province of Westphalia
. A century later in 1899 the city's harbour started operations when the city was linked to the Dortmund-Ems Canal
.
, one of the most prominent critics of the Nazi government. In retaliation for his success (The New York Times described Bishop von Galen as "the most obstinate opponent of the National Socialist anti-Christian program), Münster was heavily garrisoned during World War II and five large complexes of barracks are a still resented feature of the city. Münster was the headquarters (Hauptsitz) for the 6th Military District (Wehrkreis) of the German Wehrmacht, under the command of Infantry General (General der Infanterie) Gerhard Glokke. Originally made up of Westphalia
and the Rhineland
, after the Battle of France
it was expanded to include the Eupen
- Malmedy
district of Belgium
. The headquarters controlled military operations in Münster, Essen
, Düsseldorf
, Wuppertal
, Bielefeld
, Coesfeld
, Paderborn
, Herford
, Minden
, Detmold
, Lingen
, Osnabrück
, Recklinghausen
, Gelsenkirchen
, and Cologne
.
Münster was the home station for the VI
and XXIII Infantry Corps (Armeekorps), as well as the XXXIII and LVI Panzerkorps
. Münster was also the home of the 6th, 16th and 25th
Panzer Division
; the 16th Panzergrenadier
Division; and the 6th, 26th
, 69th, 86th, 106th
, 126th
, 196th, 199th, 211th, 227th
, 253rd, 254th, 264th, 306th, 326th
, 329th, 336th, 371st, 385th
, and 716th Infantry Divisions (Infanterie-division).
A secondary target of the Oil Campaign of World War II
, Münster was bombed on October 25, 1944 by 34 diverted B-24 Liberator
s during a mission to a nearby primary target, the Scholven
/Buer
synthetic oil plant at Gelsenkirchen. About 91% of the Old City and 63% of the entire city was destroyed by Allied air raids. The US 17th Airborne Division, employed in a standard infantry role and not in a parachute capacity, attacked Münster on 2 April 1945 in a ground assault and fought its way into the contested city center, which was cleared in urban combat on the following day.
In the 1950s the Old City was rebuilt to match its pre-war state, though many of the surrounding buildings were replaced with cheaper modern structures. It was also for several decades a garrison town for the British forces stationed in West Germany.
. In 2004, Münster won an honorable distinction: the LivCom-Award for the most livable city in the world with a population between 200,000 and 750,000. Münster is famous and liked for its bicycle friendliness and for the student character of the city that is due to the influence of its university, the Westfälische Wilhelms Universität Münster.
Münster is situated on the river Aa
, approximately 15 km south of its confluence with the Ems in the Westphalian Bight, a landscape studded with dispersed settlements and farms, the so called "Münsterland". The Wolstonian sediments
of the mountain ridge called "Münsterländer Kiessandzug" cross the city from north to south. The highest elevation is the Mühlenberg in the northwest of Münster, 97 metres above sea level
. The lowest elevation is at the Ems with 44 m above sea level
. The city center is 60 m above sea level, measured at the Prinzipalmarkt
in front of the historic city hall.
The Dutch city of Enschede
is about 65 km northwest of Münster. Other major cities nearby include Osnabrück
, about 44 km to the north, Dortmund
, about 61 km to the south, and Bielefeld
, about 62 km to the east.
Münster is one of the 42 agglomeration areas
and one of the biggest cities of Germany in terms of acreage. But this includes substantial sparsely populated, agrarian districts which were formerly separate local government areas but were amalgamated
in 1975. Thus nearly half the city's area is agricultural, resulting in a low population density of approximately 900 inhabitants per km².
Moreover, the built-over area of the city is relatively large, because the buildings are smaller compared with other cities of this size: there is a high ratio of one-family houses and mansions. There are few high-rise buildings and no skyscrapers. Nevertheless the population density reaches about 15,000 inhabitants per km² in the city center. Calculating the population density based on the actual populated area results in approximately 2890 inhabitants per km².
The urban area of Münster of 302.91 km² is distributed into 57,54 km² covered with buildings, 0.99 km² are used for maintenance and 25.73 km² for traffic areas, 156.61 km² for agricultural and recreational purposes, 8.91 km² are covered with waterbodies, 56.69 km² is used by forests and 6,23 km² is used for other purposes. The perimeter has a length of 107 km, the largest extend of the urban area in north south direction is 24.4 km, in east west direction 20.6 km.
and Greven
(District of Steinfurt
), Telgte
, Everswinkel
, Sendenhorst
and Drensteinfurt
(District of Warendorf
), as well as Ascheberg
, Senden
and Havixbeck
(District of Coesfeld
).
e). These are "Mitte" (Middle), "Nord" (North), "Ost" (East), "West", "Süd-Ost" (South-East) and "Hiltrup". Each district is represented by a council of 19 representatives elected at each local election. Heading each council is the district mayor, or Bezirksvorsteher. Further, every district is subdivided into residential quarters (Wohnbereiche). This official term, however, is not used in common speech, as there are no discrete definitions of the individual quarters. The term "Stadtteil" is used instead, mainly referring to the incorporated communities. The districts are also divided into 45 statistical districts.
The following list names each district with its residential and additional quarters according to the constitution. These are the official names, which partly differ from the usage in common speech.
_stadtbezirke.png)
The center can be subdivided into the city districts which have evolved historically, whose borders are not always clearly defined. Among these are Aaseestadt, Erphoviertel, Geistviertel, Hansaviertel, Herz-Jesu-Viertel, Kreuzviertel, Kuhviertel, Mauritzviertel, Pluggendorf, Rumphorst, Südviertel, Uppenberg, and the Zentrum Nord.
The job market situation in Münster is "comparatively good". Of the approximately 130,000 employees subject to social insurance contribution more than 80% work in the tertiary sector, about 17% work in the secondary sector and 1% work in the primary sector.
. School education starts with primary school where they go for 4 years. The city has 40 primary schools. After this, they move up to either a Gymnasium
, Realschule
or a Hauptschule
for 6 years.
Münster is host to many institutions of higher education
which includes the University of Münster
and University of Applied Sciences
. The city also has 92 Schools of primary and secondary education. The city has 47,000 students.
which is on the Wanne-Eickel–Hamburg railway
.
which was created on 30 April 1906. The main section is football and the team plays at Preußenstadion.
, USA Orléans
, France
York
, United Kingdom
Kristiansand
, Norway
Monastir
, Tunisia
Rishon LeZion, Israel
Ryazan
, Russia
Mühlhausen
, Germany Lublin
, Poland
Independent city
An independent city is a city that does not form part of another general-purpose local government entity. These type of cities should not be confused with city-states , which are fully sovereign cities that are not part of any other sovereign state.-Historical precursors:In the Holy Roman Empire,...
in 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...
, Germany
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...
. It is located in the northern part of the state and is considered to be the cultural centre of the Westphalia
Westphalia
Westphalia is a region in Germany, centred on the cities of Arnsberg, Bielefeld, Dortmund, Minden and Münster.Westphalia is roughly the region between the rivers Rhine and Weser, located north and south of the Ruhr River. No exact definition of borders can be given, because the name "Westphalia"...
region. It is also capital of the local government region Münsterland
Münster (region)
Münster is one of the five Regierungsbezirke of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, located in the north of the state, and named after the city of Münster. It includes the area which in medieval times was known as the Dreingau....
. The city is best known as the location of the Anabaptist rebellion
Münster Rebellion
The Münster Rebellion was an attempt by radical Anabaptists to establish a communal sectarian government in the German city of Münster. The city became an Anabaptist center from 1534 to 1535, and fell under Anabaptist rule for 18 months — from February 1534, when the city hall was seized and...
during the Protestant Reformation
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
, as the site of the signing of the Treaty of Westphalia ending the Thirty Years' War
Thirty Years' War
The Thirty Years' War was fought primarily in what is now Germany, and at various points involved most countries in Europe. It was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history....
in 1648, and as the bicycle capital of Germany.
Münster gained the status of a Großstadt (major city) with more than 100,000 inhabitants in 1915. Currently there are around 270,000 people living in the city, with about 48,500 students, only some of whom are recorded in the official population statistics as having their primary residence in Münster.
Early history
In 793, CharlemagneCharlemagne
Charlemagne was King of the Franks from 768 and Emperor of the Romans from 800 to his death in 814. He expanded the Frankish kingdom into an empire that incorporated much of Western and Central Europe. During his reign, he conquered Italy and was crowned by Pope Leo III on 25 December 800...
sent out Ludger
Ludger
Saint Ludger was a missionary among the Frisians and Saxons, founder of Werden Abbey and first Bishop of Münster in Westphalia....
as a missionary to evangelise the Münsterland
Münster (region)
Münster is one of the five Regierungsbezirke of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, located in the north of the state, and named after the city of Münster. It includes the area which in medieval times was known as the Dreingau....
. In 797, Ludger founded a school that later became the Cathedral School. Gymnasium Paulinum
Gymnasium Paulinum
Gymnasium Paulinum is a Gymnasium school in Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It was founded in around 797 and is claimed to be the oldest school in Germany.-Early history:...
traces its history back to the school He was ordained as the first bishop of Münster. The first cathedral was completed by 850. The combination of ford and crossroad, market place, episcopal administrative centre, library and school, established Münster as an important centre. In 1040, Heinrich III
Henry III, Holy Roman Emperor
Henry III , called the Black or the Pious, was a member of the Salian Dynasty of Holy Roman Emperors...
became the first king in Münster.
Middle Ages and Early Modern Period
In the Middle AgesMiddle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
Münster was a leading member of the Hanseatic League
Hanseatic League
The Hanseatic League was an economic alliance of trading cities and their merchant guilds that dominated trade along the coast of Northern Europe...
.
In 1534, the Anabaptist
Anabaptist
Anabaptists are Protestant Christians of the Radical Reformation of 16th-century Europe, and their direct descendants, particularly the Amish, Brethren, Hutterites, and Mennonites....
s led by John of Leiden
John of Leiden
John of Leiden , was an Anabaptist leader from the Dutch city of Leiden. He was the illegitimate son of a Dutch mayor, and a tailor's apprentice by trade.-Life:...
, took power in the Münster Rebellion
Münster Rebellion
The Münster Rebellion was an attempt by radical Anabaptists to establish a communal sectarian government in the German city of Münster. The city became an Anabaptist center from 1534 to 1535, and fell under Anabaptist rule for 18 months — from February 1534, when the city hall was seized and...
and founded a democratic proto-socialistic state. They claimed all property, burned all books except the Bible, and called it the "New Jerusalem". John of Leiden believed he would lead the elect from Münster to capture the entire world and purify it of evil with the sword in preparation for the Second Coming of Christ and the beginning of the Millennium. However, the town was recaptured in 1535; the Anabaptists were tortured to death, their corpses were exhibited in cages, which can still be seen hanging on the Tower of St. Lambert's steeple.
Part of the signing of the Peace of Westphalia
Peace of Westphalia
The Peace of Westphalia was a series of peace treaties signed between May and October of 1648 in Osnabrück and Münster. These treaties ended the Thirty Years' War in the Holy Roman Empire, and the Eighty Years' War between Spain and the Dutch Republic, with Spain formally recognizing the...
of 1648 was held in Münster. This ended the Thirty Years' War
Thirty Years' War
The Thirty Years' War was fought primarily in what is now Germany, and at various points involved most countries in Europe. It was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history....
. It also guaranteed the future of the prince-bishop and the diocese; the area was to be exclusively Roman Catholic.
18th, 19th and early 20th Centuries
The last outstanding palace of the German baroque period is created according to plans by Johann Conrad Schlaun. In 1780 the University of MünsterUniversity of Münster
The University of Münster is a public university located in the city of Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany. The WWU is part of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, a society of Germany's leading research universities...
(today called "Westphalian Wilhelms-University", WWU) was established, now a major European centre for excellence in education and research with large faculties in the arts, humanities, theology, sciences, business and law. Currently there are about 40,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled. In 1802 Münster was conquered by Prussia
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
during the Napoleonic Wars
Napoleonic Wars
The Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars declared against Napoleon's French Empire by opposing coalitions that ran from 1803 to 1815. As a continuation of the wars sparked by the French Revolution of 1789, they revolutionised European armies and played out on an unprecedented scale, mainly due to...
. It became the capital of the Prussian province of Westphalia
Province of Westphalia
The Province of Westphalia was a province of the Kingdom of Prussia and the Free State of Prussia from 1815 to 1946.-History:Napoleon Bonaparte founded the Kingdom of Westphalia, which was a client state of the First French Empire from 1807 to 1813...
. A century later in 1899 the city's harbour started operations when the city was linked to the Dortmund-Ems Canal
Dortmund-Ems Canal
The Dortmund–Ems Canal is a 269 km long canal in Germany between the inland port of the city of Dortmund and the sea port of Emden. The artificial southern part of the canal ends after 215 km at the lock of Herbrum near Meppen. From there, the route goes over a length of 45 km over...
.
World War II
The Bishop of Münster in the 1940s was Cardinal Clemens August Graf von GalenClemens August Graf von Galen
Blessed Clemens August Graf von Galen was a German count, Bishop of Münster, and Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church....
, one of the most prominent critics of the Nazi government. In retaliation for his success (The New York Times described Bishop von Galen as "the most obstinate opponent of the National Socialist anti-Christian program), Münster was heavily garrisoned during World War II and five large complexes of barracks are a still resented feature of the city. Münster was the headquarters (Hauptsitz) for the 6th Military District (Wehrkreis) of the German Wehrmacht, under the command of Infantry General (General der Infanterie) Gerhard Glokke. Originally made up of Westphalia
Westphalia
Westphalia is a region in Germany, centred on the cities of Arnsberg, Bielefeld, Dortmund, Minden and Münster.Westphalia is roughly the region between the rivers Rhine and Weser, located north and south of the Ruhr River. No exact definition of borders can be given, because the name "Westphalia"...
and the Rhineland
Rhineland
Historically, the Rhinelands refers to a loosely-defined region embracing the land on either bank of the River Rhine in central Europe....
, after the Battle of France
Battle of France
In the Second World War, the Battle of France was the German invasion of France and the Low Countries, beginning on 10 May 1940, which ended the Phoney War. The battle consisted of two main operations. In the first, Fall Gelb , German armoured units pushed through the Ardennes, to cut off and...
it was expanded to include the Eupen
Eupen
Eupen is a municipality in the Belgian province of Liège, from the German border , from the Dutch border and from the "High Fens" nature reserve...
- Malmedy
Malmedy
Malmedy is a municipality of Belgium. It lies in the country's Walloon Region, Province of Liège. It belongs to the French Community of Belgium, within which it is French-speaking with facilities for German-speakers. On January 1, 2006 Malmedy had a total population of 11,829...
district of Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. The headquarters controlled military operations in Münster, Essen
Essen
- Origin of the name :In German-speaking countries, the name of the city Essen often causes confusion as to its origins, because it is commonly known as the German infinitive of the verb for the act of eating, and/or the German noun for food. Although scholars still dispute the interpretation of...
, Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf is the capital city of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and centre of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region.Düsseldorf is an important international business and financial centre and renowned for its fashion and trade fairs. Located centrally within the European Megalopolis, the...
, Wuppertal
Wuppertal
Wuppertal is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located in and around the Wupper river valley, and is situated east of the city of Düsseldorf and south of the Ruhr area. With a population of approximately 350,000, it is the largest city in the Bergisches Land...
, Bielefeld
Bielefeld
Bielefeld is an independent city in the Ostwestfalen-Lippe Region in the north-east of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. With a population of 323,000, it is also the most populous city in the Regierungsbezirk Detmold...
, Coesfeld
Coesfeld
Coesfeld is the capital of the district of Coesfeld in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia.-History:Coesfeld received its city rights in 1197, but was first recorded earlier than that in the biography of St. Ludger, patron and first bishop of the diocese of Munster who was born north of...
, Paderborn
Paderborn
Paderborn is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, capital of the Paderborn district. The name of the city derives from the river Pader, which originates in more than 200 springs near Paderborn Cathedral, where St. Liborius is buried.-History:...
, Herford
Herford
Herford is a town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, located in the lowlands between the hill chains of the Wiehen Hills and the Teutoburg Forest. It is the capital of the district of Herford.- Geographic location :...
, Minden
Minden
Minden is a town of about 83,000 inhabitants in the north-east of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The town extends along both sides of the river Weser. It is the capital of the Kreis of Minden-Lübbecke, which is part of the region of Detmold. Minden is the historic political centre of the...
, Detmold
Detmold
Detmold is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, with a population of about 74,000. It was the capital of the small Principality of Lippe from 1468 until 1918 and then of the Free State of Lippe until 1947...
, Lingen
Lingen
Lingen is a town in Lower Saxony, Germany. In 2008 the population was 52,353, and in addition there are about 5,000 people who have registered the city as their secondary residence...
, Osnabrück
Osnabrück
Osnabrück is a city in Lower Saxony, Germany, some 80 km NNE of Dortmund, 45 km NE of Münster, and some 100 km due west of Hanover. It lies in a valley penned between the Wiehen Hills and the northern tip of the Teutoburg Forest...
, Recklinghausen
Recklinghausen
Recklinghausen is the northernmost city in the Ruhr-Area and the capital of the Recklinghausen district. It borders the rural Münsterland and is characterized by large fields and farms in the north and industry in the south...
, Gelsenkirchen
Gelsenkirchen
Gelsenkirchen is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located in the northern part of the Ruhr area. Its population in 2006 was c. 267,000....
, and Cologne
Cologne
Cologne is Germany's fourth-largest city , and is the largest city both in the Germany Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and within the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Area, one of the major European metropolitan areas with more than ten million inhabitants.Cologne is located on both sides of the...
.
Münster was the home station for the VI
VI Corps (Germany)
The VI Corps was an infantry corps in the German Army. It fought in several notable actions during World War II.The corps was originally formed around the 6th Division of the Reichswehr in October 1934 in Münster.-1940:...
and XXIII Infantry Corps (Armeekorps), as well as the XXXIII and LVI Panzerkorps
Panzerkorps
A panzer corps was a military formation type in the German Wehrmacht during World War II. The name was introduced in 1942, when the motorised corps were renamed to panzer corps. Panzer corps were created throughout the war, and existed in all service arms of the Wehrmacht except the Navy...
. Münster was also the home of the 6th, 16th and 25th
25th Panzer Division (Germany)
The 25th Panzer Division was a German tank formation during World War II. It was one of the many understrength panzer divisions the Germans formed during the last years of the war.- Highlights :*1942-1943 Training and garrison activities in Norway...
Panzer Division
Panzer Division
A panzer division was an armored division in the army and air force branches of the Wehrmacht as well as the Waffen-SS of Nazi Germany during World War II....
; the 16th Panzergrenadier
Panzergrenadier
is a German term for motorised or mechanized infantry, as introduced during World War II. It is used in the armies of Austria, Chile, Germany and Switzerland.-Forerunners:...
Division; and the 6th, 26th
26th Infantry Division (Germany)
The 26th Infantry Division was a pre-Second World war German Infantry Division of the 1st mobilisation wave . It was mobilised for World War II on September 26, 1939, disbanded September 10, 1944 near Radom, reformed as the 26th Volksgrenadier Division The 26th Infantry Division (26....
, 69th, 86th, 106th
106th Infantry Division (Germany)
The 106th Infantry Division was a German division in World War II. It was formed on 22 November 1940 in Wahn.-Commanding officers:*General der Infanterie Ernst Dehner, 28 November 1940 – 3 May 1942...
, 126th
126th Infantry Division (Germany)
The 126th Infantry Division was a German division in World War II. It was formed on 15 October 1940 in Münster.-Commanding officers:* General der Infanterie Paul Laux, 15 October 1940 – 8 October 1942...
, 196th, 199th, 211th, 227th
227th Infantry Division (Germany)
The 227th Infantry Division named "Rheinisch-Westfälische" was created on 26 August 1939 in Krefeld. The Division was deployed for the last time in February 1945 in the Tuchola Forest.-Commanding officers:...
, 253rd, 254th, 264th, 306th, 326th
326th Infantry Division (Germany)
The 326th Infantry Division was formed on November 9, 1942 to serve as an occupation force in France. On May 5, 1943 the division was transformed into a static division. The 326th Infantry Division was destroyed during the Battle of Normandy. A new 326th Volksgrenadier Division The 326th Infantry...
, 329th, 336th, 371st, 385th
385th Infantry Division (Germany)
The 385th Infantry Division, also known as a "Rheingold" Division, was created on 10 January 1942 in Fallingbostel. The division was annihilated in early 1943 while subordinated to the 8th Italian Army...
, and 716th Infantry Divisions (Infanterie-division).
A secondary target of the Oil Campaign of World War II
Oil Campaign of World War II
The Allied Oil Campaign of World War II was directed at facilities supplying Nazi Germany with petroleum, oil, and lubrication products...
, Münster was bombed on October 25, 1944 by 34 diverted B-24 Liberator
B-24 Liberator
The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and a small number of early models were sold under the name LB-30, for Land Bomber...
s during a mission to a nearby primary target, the Scholven
Scholven Power Station
Scholven Power Station is a E.ON owned coal-fired power station in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Its installed output capacity of 2300 MW it is one of the most powerful coal-fired power stations in Europe.-Structure:...
/Buer
Buer, Germany
Buer is the largest suburb of Gelsenkirchen. The Hochstrasse in the heart of Buer is the largest shopping street in Gelsenkirchen.-History:...
synthetic oil plant at Gelsenkirchen. About 91% of the Old City and 63% of the entire city was destroyed by Allied air raids. The US 17th Airborne Division, employed in a standard infantry role and not in a parachute capacity, attacked Münster on 2 April 1945 in a ground assault and fought its way into the contested city center, which was cleared in urban combat on the following day.
Postwar period
From 1946 to 1998, a Latvian gymnasium (school) was operating in Münster, and in 1947, one of the largest of about 93 Latvian libraries in the West was established in Münster.In the 1950s the Old City was rebuilt to match its pre-war state, though many of the surrounding buildings were replaced with cheaper modern structures. It was also for several decades a garrison town for the British forces stationed in West Germany.
Post-reunification
In 2003, Münster hosted the Central European Olympiad in InformaticsCentral European Olympiad in Informatics
The Central European Olympiad in Informatics is an annual informatics competition for secondary school students. Each of the parcitipating central European countries sends a team of up to four contestants, a team leader and a deputy team leader. The contestants compete individually, i.e...
. In 2004, Münster won an honorable distinction: the LivCom-Award for the most livable city in the world with a population between 200,000 and 750,000. Münster is famous and liked for its bicycle friendliness and for the student character of the city that is due to the influence of its university, the Westfälische Wilhelms Universität Münster.
Geographical position
Münstersche Aa
The Münstersche Aa is a river in the Münster region of Westphalia in Germany. It is a left tributary of the Ems. The Münstersche Aa begins near Havixbeck, flows southeast until Münster, and then north to Greven, where it flows into the Ems. The total length of the Münstersche Aa is about 30 km....
, approximately 15 km south of its confluence with the Ems in the Westphalian Bight, a landscape studded with dispersed settlements and farms, the so called "Münsterland". The Wolstonian sediments
Sedimentary rock
Sedimentary rock are types of rock that are formed by the deposition of material at the Earth's surface and within bodies of water. Sedimentation is the collective name for processes that cause mineral and/or organic particles to settle and accumulate or minerals to precipitate from a solution....
of the mountain ridge called "Münsterländer Kiessandzug" cross the city from north to south. The highest elevation is the Mühlenberg in the northwest of Münster, 97 metres above sea level
Above mean sea level
The term above mean sea level refers to the elevation or altitude of any object, relative to the average sea level datum. AMSL is used extensively in radio by engineers to determine the coverage area a station will be able to reach...
. The lowest elevation is at the Ems with 44 m above sea level
Above mean sea level
The term above mean sea level refers to the elevation or altitude of any object, relative to the average sea level datum. AMSL is used extensively in radio by engineers to determine the coverage area a station will be able to reach...
. The city center is 60 m above sea level, measured at the Prinzipalmarkt
Prinzipalmarkt
The Prinzipalmarkt is the historic principal marketplace of Münster, Germany. It is shaped by historic buildings with picturesque pediments attached to one another. It extends from St. Lambert's Church in the north to the Townhouse Tower in the south and is home to luxurious shops and cafés...
in front of the historic city hall.
The Dutch city of Enschede
Enschede
Enschede , also known as Eanske in the local dialect of Twents, is a municipality and a city in the eastern Netherlands in the province of Overijssel and in the Twente region...
is about 65 km northwest of Münster. Other major cities nearby include Osnabrück
Osnabrück
Osnabrück is a city in Lower Saxony, Germany, some 80 km NNE of Dortmund, 45 km NE of Münster, and some 100 km due west of Hanover. It lies in a valley penned between the Wiehen Hills and the northern tip of the Teutoburg Forest...
, about 44 km to the north, Dortmund
Dortmund
Dortmund is a city in Germany. It is located in the Bundesland of North Rhine-Westphalia, in the Ruhr area. Its population of 585,045 makes it the 7th largest city in Germany and the 34th largest in the European Union....
, about 61 km to the south, and Bielefeld
Bielefeld
Bielefeld is an independent city in the Ostwestfalen-Lippe Region in the north-east of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. With a population of 323,000, it is also the most populous city in the Regierungsbezirk Detmold...
, about 62 km to the east.
Münster is one of the 42 agglomeration areas
Agglomeration
In the study of human settlements, an urban agglomeration is an extended city or town area comprising the built-up area of a central place and any suburbs linked by continuous urban area. In France, INSEE the French Statistical Institute, translate it as "Unité urbaine" which means continuous...
and one of the biggest cities of Germany in terms of acreage. But this includes substantial sparsely populated, agrarian districts which were formerly separate local government areas but were amalgamated
Amalgamation (politics)
A merger or amalgamation in a political or administrative sense is the combination of two or more political or administrative entities such as municipalities , counties, districts, etc. into a single entity. This term is used when the process occurs within a sovereign entity...
in 1975. Thus nearly half the city's area is agricultural, resulting in a low population density of approximately 900 inhabitants per km².
The urban area of Münster of 302.91 km² is distributed into 57,54 km² covered with buildings, 0.99 km² are used for maintenance and 25.73 km² for traffic areas, 156.61 km² for agricultural and recreational purposes, 8.91 km² are covered with waterbodies, 56.69 km² is used by forests and 6,23 km² is used for other purposes. The perimeter has a length of 107 km, the largest extend of the urban area in north south direction is 24.4 km, in east west direction 20.6 km.
Climate
A well known saying in Münster is "Entweder es regnet oder es läuten die Glocken. Und wenn beides zusammen fällt, dann ist Sonntag" ("Either it rains or the church bells ring. And if both occur at the same time, it's Sunday."), but in reality the rainfall with approximately 758 mm per year is close to the average rainfall in Germany. The impression of Münster as a rain-laden city depends not on the absolute amount of rainfall but on the above-average number of rainy days with relatively small amounts of rainfall. The average temperature is 9.4 °C with approximately 1500 sun hours per year. In terms of this figure, Münster is in the bottom fifth in comparison with other German cities. The winter in Münster is fairly mild and snow is rare. The temperature during summertime meets the average in Germany.Adjacent cities and districts
Münster borders on following cities and municipalities, named clockwise and beginning in the northwest: AltenbergeAltenberge
Altenberge is a municipality in the district of Steinfurt, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is situated approx. 15 km south-east of Steinfurt and 15 km north-west of Münster.-References:...
and Greven
Greven
Greven is a medium-sized town in the district of Steinfurt, in Germany's most populous state of North Rhine-Westphalia and close to the city of Münster.-Geography:Greven is situated on the river Ems, approx...
(District of Steinfurt
Steinfurt (district)
Steinfurt is a Kreis in the northern part of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Neighboring districts are Bentheim, Emsland, district-free Osnabrück and the Osnabrück district, Warendorf, district-free Münster, Coesfeld, Borken.-Geography:...
), Telgte
Telgte
Telgte is a town in the Warendorf district, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is situated on the river Ems, 10 km east of Münster, and 15 km west of Warendorf.-History:...
, Everswinkel
Everswinkel
Everswinkel is a municipality in Warendorf District, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is situated some 30 km north of Hamm and 15 km east of Münster....
, Sendenhorst
Sendenhorst
Sendenhorst is a town in the district of Warendorf, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is situated approx. 20 km north of Hamm and 20 km south-east of Münster.- Geography :...
and Drensteinfurt
Drensteinfurt
Drensteinfurt is a town in the district of Warendorf, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is situated approx. 15 km north of Hamm and 20 km south of Münster...
(District of Warendorf
Warendorf (district)
Warendorf is a Kreis in the northern part of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Neighboring districts are Steinfurt, Osnabrück , Gütersloh, Soest, district-free city Hamm, Coesfeld and the district-free city Münster.-History:...
), as well as Ascheberg
Ascheberg
Ascheberg is a municipality in the district of Coesfeld in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.The neighbouring cities, towns and municipalities of Ascheberg are the city Münster, the town Drensteinfurt , the city Hamm, the town Werne Ascheberg is a municipality in the district of...
, Senden
Senden
The town of Senden is the second-largest town of the district of Neu-Ulm in Bavaria and is located at the border to Baden-Württemberg. The town belongs to the Donau-Iller-Nahverkehrsverbund...
and Havixbeck
Havixbeck
Havixbeck 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 :...
(District of Coesfeld
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 :...
).
City boroughs
According to § 1 of the main constitution of Münster, the city is divided into six administrative districts (StadtbezirkStadtbezirk
A Stadtbezirk is a form of German city district, an administrative unit within a larger city. In Germany Stadtbezirke usually only exist in a metropolis with more than 150,000 inhabitants....
e). These are "Mitte" (Middle), "Nord" (North), "Ost" (East), "West", "Süd-Ost" (South-East) and "Hiltrup". Each district is represented by a council of 19 representatives elected at each local election. Heading each council is the district mayor, or Bezirksvorsteher. Further, every district is subdivided into residential quarters (Wohnbereiche). This official term, however, is not used in common speech, as there are no discrete definitions of the individual quarters. The term "Stadtteil" is used instead, mainly referring to the incorporated communities. The districts are also divided into 45 statistical districts.
The following list names each district with its residential and additional quarters according to the constitution. These are the official names, which partly differ from the usage in common speech.
- Mitte:
- Kernbereich (Center)
- Nord:
- Coerde
- KinderhausMünster-KinderhausKinderhaus is a district of Münster, a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It lies approximately 4 km to the north of the centre of Münster and belongs to the borough Münster-Nord, together with Coerde and Sprakel...
- Sprakel with Sandrup
- Ost:
- Dyckburg, consisting of Mariendorf and Sudmühle
- Gelmer with Gittrup
- Handorf with Kasewinkel, Kreuzbach, Laer, Dorbaum and Verth on the left bank of the Ems and WerseWerseThe Werse is a 67 km long, left-hand tributary of the River Ems in Münsterland, North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany. The catchment area of the Werse is 762.47 km². Its name may be derived from a pre-Indo-European language, Vasconic, from which the Basque language developed. Its water...
- Mauritz-Ost and Mondstraße, combined better known as St. Mauritz
- West:
- Albachten
- Gievenbeck
- Mecklenbeck
- Nienberge with Häger, Schönebeck and Uhlenbrock
- Roxel with Altenroxel and Oberort
- Sentruper Höhe
- Süd-Ost:
- Angelmodde with Hofkamp
- Gremmendorf with Loddenheide
- Wolbeck
- Hiltrup:
- Amelsbüren with Sudhoff, Loevelingloh and Wilbrenning
- Berg Fidel
- Hiltrup
The center can be subdivided into the city districts which have evolved historically, whose borders are not always clearly defined. Among these are Aaseestadt, Erphoviertel, Geistviertel, Hansaviertel, Herz-Jesu-Viertel, Kreuzviertel, Kuhviertel, Mauritzviertel, Pluggendorf, Rumphorst, Südviertel, Uppenberg, and the Zentrum Nord.
Demographics
Münster has approximately 270,000 inhabitants, and in addition more than 10,000 have their secondary residence in the city. The city has about 50,000 resident aliens. The life-expectancy in Münster is 76.3 years for males and 83.1 years for females. The average age of Münster's residents was 40.0 years in 2006.The Mayor
The mayor is a member and Chairman of the city Council and has the right to vote in city Council and the Steering Committee. The mayor also prepares the agenda. The mayor may appeal in the extreme case of opposition against the decision of the Council or the district councils, where he is satisfied that the decision jeopardized the welfare of the community. However, the ultimate decision lies with the City Council. has the right to collectively, with a Council member, to make an emergency decision in the event that City Council and the competent committee can not come together in time to take an urgent decision.The Makeup of City Council
| Party | Percentage | Seats | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Democratic Union Christian Democratic Union (Germany) The Christian Democratic Union of Germany is a Christian democratic and conservative political party in Germany. It is regarded as on the centre-right of the German political spectrum... |
39,20% | 31 | |
| Social Democratic Party Social Democratic Party of Germany The Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany... |
25,00% | 20 | |
| Green Party Alliance '90/The Greens Alliance '90/The Greens is a green political party in Germany, formed from the merger of the German Green Party and Alliance 90 in 1993. Its leaders are Claudia Roth and Cem Özdemir... |
19,36% | 16 | |
| Free Democratic Party Free Democratic Party (Germany) The Free Democratic Party , abbreviated to FDP, is a centre-right classical liberal political party in Germany. It is led by Philipp Rösler and currently serves as the junior coalition partner to the Union in the German federal government... |
8,97% | 7 | |
| The Left The Left (Germany) The Left , also commonly referred to as the Left Party , is a democratic socialist political party in Germany. The Left is the most left-wing party of the five represented in the Bundestag.... |
3,37% | 3 | |
| UWG-MS | 1,68% | 1 | |
| Pirate Party | 1,55% | 1 | |
| Ecological Democratic Party Ecological Democratic Party The Ecological Democratic Party is an environmentalist political party in Germany. It was founded in 1982 by former members of the German Green Party. The ÖDP combines issues which are not often found together: a focus on state financial support for families and childrearing, and a belief in the... |
0.86% | 1 |
Economy
The city is the "creative desk of Westphalia". Greater Münster has many agencies that public authorities, consulting companies, insurance companies, banks, computer centres, publishing houses, advertising and design. The service sectors has created several thousand jobs. Retailers have approximately 1.9 billion euros turnover. The city still has traditional merchants’ townhouses as well as modern outlets.The job market situation in Münster is "comparatively good". Of the approximately 130,000 employees subject to social insurance contribution more than 80% work in the tertiary sector, about 17% work in the secondary sector and 1% work in the primary sector.
Main sights
- St. Paul's CathedralMünster CathedralMünster Cathedral is a cathedral in the German city of Münster. It is the city's main church and one of its most important historical monuments, as well as the centre of the Diocese of Münster since that diocese's foundation in 805....
, built in the 13th century in a mixture of late Romanesque and early Gothic styles. It has been completely restored after World War II damage. It includes an astronomical clockAstronomical clockAn astronomical clock is a clock with special mechanisms and dials to display astronomical information, such as the relative positions of the sun, moon, zodiacal constellations, and sometimes major planets.-Definition:...
of 1540, adorned with hand-painted zodiac symbols, which traces the movement of the planets, and plays a GlockenspielGlockenspielA glockenspiel is a percussion instrument composed of a set of tuned keys arranged in the fashion of the keyboard of a piano. In this way, it is similar to the xylophone; however, the xylophone's bars are made of wood, while the glockenspiel's are metal plates or tubes, and making it a metallophone...
tune every noon. - The PrinzipalmarktPrinzipalmarktThe Prinzipalmarkt is the historic principal marketplace of Münster, Germany. It is shaped by historic buildings with picturesque pediments attached to one another. It extends from St. Lambert's Church in the north to the Townhouse Tower in the south and is home to luxurious shops and cafés...
, the marketplace in the city centre with the Gothic town hallHistorical City Hall of MünsterThe Historical City Hall of Münster was one of the theatres of the negotiations of the Peace of Westphalia which concluded the Thirty Years' War in Europe and the Eighty Years' War between Spain and the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands...
(14th century) in which the Peace of WestphaliaPeace of WestphaliaThe Peace of Westphalia was a series of peace treaties signed between May and October of 1648 in Osnabrück and Münster. These treaties ended the Thirty Years' War in the Holy Roman Empire, and the Eighty Years' War between Spain and the Dutch Republic, with Spain formally recognizing the...
treaty which put an end to the Thirty Years' WarThirty Years' WarThe Thirty Years' War was fought primarily in what is now Germany, and at various points involved most countries in Europe. It was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history....
was signed in 1648. - St Lambert's Church (1375), with three cages hanging from its tower above the clock face. In 1535 these cages were used to display the corpses of Jan van Leiden and other leaders of the Münster RebellionMünster RebellionThe Münster Rebellion was an attempt by radical Anabaptists to establish a communal sectarian government in the German city of Münster. The city became an Anabaptist center from 1534 to 1535, and fell under Anabaptist rule for 18 months — from February 1534, when the city hall was seized and...
, who promoted polygamy and renunciation of all property. - The Schloss (palace), built in 1767–87 as residence for the prince-bishops by the Baroque architect Johann Conrad Schlaun and Wilhelm Ferdinand Lipper. Now the administrative centre for the University.
- The Botanischer Garten MünsterBotanischer Garten MünsterThe Botanischer Garten Münster is a botanical garden maintained by the University of Münster...
, a botanical gardenBotanical gardenA botanical garden The terms botanic and botanical, and garden or gardens are used more-or-less interchangeably, although the word botanic is generally reserved for the earlier, more traditional gardens. is a well-tended area displaying a wide range of plants labelled with their botanical names...
founded in 1803. - "Münster Arkaden" (2006), new shopping centre between Prinzipalmarkt and the Pablo Picasso Museum of Graphic Art.
- The fortress "Zwinger", build 1528. Used from the 18th to the 20th century as a prison. During World War II, the GestapoGestapoThe Gestapo was the official secret police of Nazi Germany. Beginning on 20 April 1934, it was under the administration of the SS leader Heinrich Himmler in his position as Chief of German Police...
used the "Zwinger" also for executions. - "Krameramtshaus" (1589), an old guild house, which housed the delegation from the Netherlands during the signing of the Peace of WestphaliaPeace of WestphaliaThe Peace of Westphalia was a series of peace treaties signed between May and October of 1648 in Osnabrück and Münster. These treaties ended the Thirty Years' War in the Holy Roman Empire, and the Eighty Years' War between Spain and the Dutch Republic, with Spain formally recognizing the...
. - Signal-Iduna Building (1961), the first high-rise building in Münster.
- LVM-Building, high-rise building near the Aasee.
- LBS-Building, location of Münster's first zoo. Some old structures of the former zoo can be found in the park around the office building. Also the "Tuckesburg", the strange looking house of the zoo-founder, is still intact.
- "Cavete", the oldest academic pub in Münster
- Haus Rüschhaus (1743–49), a country estate situated in Nienberge, built by Johann Conrad Schlaun for himself
- Stadthaus (1773)
- Erbdrostenhof (1749–53), a Baroque palace, also built by Schlaun
- Clemenskirche (1745–53), a Baroque church, also built by Schlaun
- Westphalian State Museum of Art and Cultural HistoryWestphalian State Museum of Art and Cultural HistoryThe Westphalian State Museum of Art and Cultural History is an arts and cultural museum in Münster, Germany-External links:*...
- University bible museum
- City Museum ("Stadtmuseum"), exhibition of a large collection showing the political and cultural history of the city from its beginning up to present, housed by a converted former department store
- University Mineralogical Museum
- Westphalian Horse Museum ("Hippomax")
- Mühlenhof open-air museum, depicting a typical Westphalian village as it looked centuries ago
- Westphalian Museum for Natural HistoryWestfälische Museum für NaturkundeThe Westfälische Museum für Naturkunde is a natural history museum in Münster.- External links :* Homepage, German only...
, state museum and planetarium - West Prussian State Museum ("Drostenhof Wolbeck")
- Museum of Lacquer Art (founded and operated by the company BASFBASFBASF SE is the largest chemical company in the world and is headquartered in Germany. BASF originally stood for Badische Anilin- und Soda-Fabrik . Today, the four letters are a registered trademark and the company is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, London Stock Exchange, and Zurich Stock...
Coatings) - Pablo Picasso Museum of Graphic Art, the only museum devoted exclusively to the graphic works of Pablo PicassoPablo PicassoPablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno María de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso known as Pablo Ruiz Picasso was a Spanish expatriate painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramicist, and stage designer, one of the greatest and most influential artists of the...
- Pinkus MüllerPinkus MüllerPinkus Müller is a German brewery based in the Northern Germany town of Münster. The Pinkus-Müller brewery traces its origins to the arrival of Johannes Müller in Münster from his home town Hildebrandshausen in 1816. After marrying Friederika Cramer they opened a bakery and a brewery. In 1866 the...
the only brewery left in Münster of original more than 150.
Education
Education is the responsibility of the state. In this case, it would be North Rhine-WestphaliaNorth 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...
. School education starts with primary school where they go for 4 years. The city has 40 primary schools. After this, they move up to either a Gymnasium
Gymnasium (school)
A gymnasium is a type of school providing secondary education in some parts of Europe, comparable to English grammar schools or sixth form colleges and U.S. college preparatory high schools. The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, meaning a locality for both physical and intellectual...
, Realschule
Realschule
The Realschule is a type of secondary school in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. It has also existed in Croatia , Denmark , Sweden , Hungary and in the Russian Empire .-History:The Realschule was an outgrowth of the rationalism and empiricism of the seventeenth and...
or a Hauptschule
Hauptschule
A Hauptschule is a secondary school in Germany and Austria, starting after 4 years of elementary schooling, which offers Lower Secondary Education according to the International Standard Classification of Education...
for 6 years.
Münster is host to many institutions of higher education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
which includes the University of Münster
University of Münster
The University of Münster is a public university located in the city of Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany. The WWU is part of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, a society of Germany's leading research universities...
and University of Applied Sciences
Fachhochschule Münster
The Fachhochschule Münster is based in Münster/Westphalia and Steinfurt. The administration is accommodated in the Hüfferstiftung building...
. The city also has 92 Schools of primary and secondary education. The city has 47,000 students.
Transportation
Bicycling
Münster is the bicycle capital of Germany. In 2007, Vehicle traffic (36.4%) fell below the number of bikes used in traffic (37.6%). The city maintains an extensive network for bicycles. There are bicycle lanes and paths linking all the city districts with the inner city and there are special traffic light signals for bicycles. Bicycle stations in Münster offer bicycle rentals.List of fines for bicycle users
| Traffic violation | Fine | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Cycling along cycle paths in the wrong direction | 15€ | |
| Using a mobile phone while cycling | 15€ | |
| Cycling with headphones or ear plugs | 10€ | |
| Cycling “hands-free“ | 10€ | |
| Cycling without a bell or a rear reflector | 10€ | |
| Cycling at night without lights | 10€ | |
| Cycling through a red light after over a second has passed | 125€ 4 Points Driving ban for a month. |
|
| Cycling with a blood alcohol level of 1.6 | Disqualified from driving. |
Automobiles
Münster gets a lot of traffic but the infrastructure for driving is considered good. Münster has a parking guidance system.Train
Münster has the Münster HauptbahnhofMünster Hauptbahnhof
-History:The original Münster station was opened in 1848 by the Münster-Hamm Railway Company, when it opened by the Münster–Hamm railway to the then capital of the Prussian Province of Westphalia as a terminus of its branch line from Hamm, where it connected with Cologne-Minden trunk line. The...
which is on the Wanne-Eickel–Hamburg railway
Wanne-Eickel–Hamburg railway
The Wanne-Eickel–Hamburg railway is the shortest railway link between the Ruhr and the Hamburg Metropolitan Region and hence one of the most important railway lines in northwest Germany...
.
Sports
The city is host to Preußen MünsterSC Preußen Münster
SC Preußen Münster are a German association football club based in Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia.-History:The club was founded as FC Preussen in 1906 and has its roots in a group formed at the Johann-Conrad-Schlaun Grammar School...
which was created on 30 April 1906. The main section is football and the team plays at Preußenstadion.
Twin cities
Münster is twinned with the following places: FresnoFresno, California
Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...
, USA Orléans
Orléans
-Prehistory and Roman:Cenabum was a Gallic stronghold, one of the principal towns of the Carnutes tribe where the Druids held their annual assembly. It was conquered and destroyed by Julius Caesar in 52 BC, then rebuilt under the Roman Empire...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Kristiansand
Kristiansand
-History:As indicated by archeological findings in the city, the Kristiansand area has been settled at least since 400 AD. A royal farm is known to have been situated on Oddernes as early as 800, and the first church was built around 1040...
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
Monastir
Monastir, Tunisia
-Areas within Monastir:Monastir's north-eastern territories lead into a place called Route de la Falaise, through which you will reach its most notable suburb, Skanes, which is 6 miles from Monastir's town centre...
, Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
Rishon LeZion, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
Ryazan
Ryazan
Ryazan is a city and the administrative center of Ryazan Oblast, Russia. It is located on the Oka River southeast of Moscow. Population: The strategic bomber base Dyagilevo is just west of the city, and the air base of Alexandrovo is to the southeast as is the Ryazan Turlatovo Airport...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
Mühlhausen
Mühlhausen
Mühlhausen is a city in the federal state of Thuringia, Germany. It is the capital of the Unstrut-Hainich district, and lies along the river Unstrut. Mühlhausen had c. 37,000 inhabitants in 2006.-History:...
, Germany Lublin
Lublin
Lublin is the ninth largest city in Poland. It is the capital of Lublin Voivodeship with a population of 350,392 . Lublin is also the largest Polish city east of the Vistula river...
, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
See also
- Munster Province, Republic Of Ireland
- CeNTechCeNTechThe Center for Nanotechnology is one of the first centers for nanotechnology. It is located in Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It offers many possibilities for research, education, start-ups and companies in nanotechnology...
- FernmeldeturmFernmeldeturm MünsterThe Fernmeldeturm Münster or, colloquial: "Fernsehturm" is the modern landmark of Münster completed in 1985/86. The 229.5 metre high tower, which is used for directional services and TV-, VHF- and UHF-transmission is not accessible to the public...
- MuensterMuenster, TexasMuenster is a city in Cooke County, Texas, United States, along U.S. Route 82. The population was 1,556 at the 2000 census.-History:In 1887 the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad constructed a line from Gainesville to Henrietta that passed through the site that would become Muenster...
, TexasTexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
(USA) - Neaera (band)Neaera (band)Neaera is a melodic death metal band from Münster, Germany, currently signed to Metal Blade Records. Recently, they have completed their fifth album, Forging the Eclipse, which was released on October 22/25, 2010 in Europe and on October 26, 2010 for the rest of the world.-Musical style:Tobias Buck...
External links
- City's official homepage
- English page of Münster All-Weather Zoo
- Münster Zoo at Zoo-Infos.de
- Muenster City Panoramas - Panoramic Views of Münster's Highlights
- 7Grad.org - Bunkers in Muenster - History of Muenster's air raid shelters
- The Siege of Muenster - audio discussion from "In Our Time" BBC
- Technology Park Münster (Host of technology companies in Münster)
- Tourist-Info
- Münster Fansite