Münster with its 280 000 inhabitants is located about 50 km from the German border with The Netherlands, in the heart of the German state of North-Rhine Westphalia. It belongs to the most beautiful cities in Germany: Not only was the Prinzipalmarkt (the historical centre) voted the fourth beautiful place of the country, but in 2004 Münster also won the UNEP Live-Com-Award for the most liveable city worldwide (category 200.000 to 750.000 inhabitants). Reasons for the selection were the high quality of live, environmental aware living, structuring of the historical heritage and integrated future planning.

General Facts

Münster is best known 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, with more bikes than inhabitants.
For the people of Münster, the ‘leeze’ (as the bike is called in Masemate, an old Münster merchant language) is the most convenient means of transport, due to the flat landscape, the short distances and the many bikeways. The ‘bicycle freeway’ called Promenade, which is reserved for bicycle traffic and pedestrians, is one of Münster’s main attractions. It is about 4.5 km long and encloses the old town with a green avenue. Another attraction contributing to the Münster’s green image is the Aasee (Lake Aa); the 2.3 km long lake and the park around it are a eeting place for leisure, and recreation.

The town has a very active night life with over 1,000 bars, dicothèques and clubs and the city of the Westphalian Peace also has – of course – a very rich cultural life: There are several museums, theatres and cinemas. The City has no big industry, but relies on administration and services, thereof it is known as the writing table of North-Rhine Westphalia.

History

Münster’s walls have seen a lot and can tell a lot: Since the early Middle Ages (the city was founded in 793 by the Frisian Liudger) Münster has been a cathedral city with market rights, later residence – and then provincial capital and headquarters of many important institutions and the powerful and mighty – not least in the magnificent castle of Johann Conrad Schlaun (the architect of the castle which is today the university’s administrative building). Here, the Baptists founded their empire, which ultimately turned into a reign of terror and went down in 1535, sieged by a group of violent Anabaptists (the Wiedertäufer).

Münster was also a significant place for international relations at the end of the Thirty Years War. One of the most important processes for the development of modern statehood took place in Münster (as conference place for the catholic delegation) and the neighbour city Osnabrück (for the protestant delegations). The peace treaty of 1648 was signed by both cities. Historians often see this event as the beginning of the modern international system of sovereign states.

During World War II, Münster’s city centre was destroyed to 91%. In contrast to other German cities, it was decided to rebuild it according to the historical architecture. Relicts from these times can still be seen all over the city – the buildings around the Prinzipalmarkt, the Cathedral and the castle (Schloss) are the most important ones.