M�nster (original) (raw)

Alternate uses: See Munster (disambiguation), Minster (cathedral)

M�nster 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: 267,197 (2001), area 302.83 km².

The University of M�nster is third 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 M�nster by Charlemagne (793). In the Middle Ages M�nster was a leading member of the Hanseatic League. In 1534 the Anabaptists took power in M�nster 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 M�nster and Osnabr�ck guaranteed the future of the prince-bishop and the diocese; the area was to be exclusively Roman Catholic.

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

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

Sights

City boroughs