Münster, 1 hôtel

The LWL Museum for Art and Culture is located on the Domplatz in Münster and is the primary art gallery in Westfalen. More than 400,000 exhibits dating from the early Middle Ages to the present day are on display here. The museum’s new building was opened in 2014, offering visitors a complete overview of the collection for the first time. In 2016 and 2017 visitors enjoyed various special exhibitions on the work of artists such as Yves Netzhammer and Henry Moore, as well as themed exhibits on topics including homosexuality and money. 

Das Krameramtshaus diente früher als Versammlungsort und Warenlager der Kramergilde und gehört zu den ältesten Gildehäusern in Münster. Während der Verhandlungen um den Westfälischen Frieden diente das Haus mit den kunstvoll gegliederten Backstein-Stufengiebel den niederländischen Delegierten als Herberge. Seit 1995 befindet sich im Krameramtshaus das Wissenschaft- und Kulturzentrum "Haus der Niederlande".

In recent years, Münster’s harbour has gradually evolved from a cargo handling port to a creative quay. Offices jostle for position with trendy clubs, and a variety of artistic, cultural and gastronomic offerings. The mixture of converted warehouses and modern architecture, combined with the views over the water, make the scene particularly charming. The annual harbour festival is one of Münster’s biggest highlights. This once lively quarter is buzzing again, and impresses visitors from near and far. 

In addition to St. Paulus Cathedral and the Kiepenkerl, the historic Rathaus is among the city of Münster’s most notable landmarks. It is regarded as one of the most significant Gothic monuments and attracted considerable notoriety, particularly during the Westphalian peace negotiations. The characteristic arched house with its high gables was rebuilt in the 1950’s, along the same lines of the original, after it was destroyed in the Second World war.

The promenade around the Old Town is one of the most important car-free zones in Münster. The dual-laned Lindenallee runs alongside the site of the former city walls, and is a popular place for people to go walking, in-line skating or cycling. This green strip is around 4.5km long and is one of Münster’s best-loved attractions. A large flea-market is also held here five times a year, attracting visitors from near and far. 

The Prinicpalmarkt is one of Germany’s most beautiful squares, representing an important part of Münster’s history. The characteristic gabled houses with their archways are still at the centre of Münster’s political and economic life to this day. The town hall with its Friedensaal is particularly beautiful. Some old merchant families from times gone by continue to do business on the Prinzipalmarkt. In addition to politics and administration, it is also a place where people stroll around, shop, dine and celebrate. 

The St.-Paulus-Dom in the heart of the city is at the centre of the Münster diocese. The cathedral is an artistically and culturally significant building, and alongside the historic Rathaus is one of the city’s main landmarks. After two previous buildings, Prince Bishop Dietrich III, Count von Isenberg, laid the foundation stone for the current cathedral in 1225, and it was later consecrated by Prince Bishop Gerhard, Count von der Mark, in 1264. Public tours for individual visitors take place every Saturday at 13:30. Tickets cost €3 and are available from the Cathedral chamber. 

The wonderful Münster city castle is an unmissable part of any city tour! Until 1803, the castle served as the prince-bishop’s residence. It was completely destroyed in the Second World War and rebuilt according to the original plans in the 1950s. Today it is the administrative seat of the University of Münster, and the castle grounds are home to the institute for Botany from the Biology faculty. A large annual market takes place on the castle square, attracting thousands of visitors each year. The university’s main lecture theatre is also located on the castle square, where conferences and concerts also take place.

As its name suggests, the All weathers Zoo can be visited on rainy or sunny days alike. All of the major animal exhibits are connected by covered pathways, the so-called all-weather corridors. Visitors also have a chance to get up close and personal with the animals, for example at feeding time for the elephants, or walks with the penguins. The entrance ticket to the All Weathers Zoo also entitles visitors to enter the Westphalian horse museum and Seal harbour. 

The Lake Aa is a man-made reservoir located to the south-west of Münster. Occupying an area of some 40 hectares and about 2.3km long, the Lake Aa is the largest recreational area local to the city. Located just 15 minutes walk from the Prinzipalmarkt, there is a zoo, a boat rental, a sailing school and various sailing clubs. Its picturesque pathways attract walkers, cyclists and inline skaters to the lake.  Numerous cafes, restaurants, hotels and sculptures by internationally renowned artists are dotted around the lake. 

The St. Lambert market and people’s church is among the most important sacred buildings of the late Gothic period in Westphalia. This sandstone building is located at the northern end of the Prinzipalmarkt, and is named after Saint Lambert of Liège. A notable feature of the church is its steeple. It is one of the last churches in all of Europe where a horn player climbs the church tower each night and plays his trumpet half-hourly from 9pm to midnight. Three iron baskets hang from the tower, from which the corpses of three executed members of the Anabaptist Empire of Münster were displayed after their torture. Today, a will o’ the wisps illuminates each of the baskets, symbolising the three souls that are unable to find peace.