Münster
From Wikitravel
Contents
Münster[1] is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, in the west of Germany.
[edit] Understand
Münster originated as a monastery founded in 794 by the Frisian missionary Liudger to aid Charlemagne's campaign to gain control over the Saxons. In 805, Münster was made a bishopric and, in 1170, it obtained its town rights. In 1648, a peace treaty was signed at the Rathaus, marking an end to the Thirty Year's War.
Today Münster is a city of about 270 000 inhabitants known for its university and as an administration centre.
[edit] Get in
Münster has good connections to the rest of Germany via the Deutsche Bahn station, Münster Hauptbahnhof.
Düsseldorf Flughafen (Airport) is about 1 hour 20 minutes by train from Münster, whereas Münster-Osnabrück Airport is about 30 minutes drive from the city. The latter has grown significantly in recent years, offering flights throughout Europe including to London (Stansted), Berlin and Amsterdam.
By car Münster can be reached by Autobahn 1 from both the north and the south and Autobahn 43 from the southwest.
[edit] Get around
Münster has a huge number of bikes which creates a really special atmosphere. There are about 50,000 students in Münster so traveling by bike and on foot are the key modes of transport. All sidewalks have a red-brick section reserved just for cyclists, and the entire city has a pedestrian/cycle path that surrounds it. The Promenade follows the route of the city's long-gone medieval walls, and it makes for a very nice walk, taking you past the lovely Aasee (a large artificial lake surrounded by a park).
Münster also has an efficient 24 hour bus system. You can purchase tickets from the bus driver.
[edit][add listing] See
The Peace Hall, located in the old city hall, is famous for the signing of the historic Treaty of Münster, a document which, as a part of the Peace of Westphalia, ended the Thirty Years War and established the Westphalian style of diplomacy between sovereign states.
Münster is also known for its vast number of churches that dot its entire cityscape, including St. Lambert's Church and Klemenskirche. St. Paul's Cathedral (German: St.-Paulus-Dom) is one of the city's most impressive features and is well worth a visit. Also, the City Museum on Salzstrasse can give you a glimpse of how the city has evolved through the years (free entry although displays are only in German).
[edit][add listing] Do
- There is an all weather zoo in Münster.
- Pablo Picasso Museum of Graphic Art, the only museum devoted exclusively to the graphic works of Pablo Picasso [2]
- There is a nice modern indoor swimming pool near the town centre. [3]
[edit][add listing] Buy
Prinzipalmarkt, the main shopping district.
[edit][add listing] Eat
There is a huge choice of restaurants in Münster. The cuisine of almost every country in the world is represented. For Italian food, the Mocca Dor is a nice choice. Recommended German restaurants and bars include Stuhlmacher (by the Town Hall/Rathaus)on Prinzipalmarkt. Or just round the corner the Kiepenkerl has tables outside by the Maypole.
[edit][add listing] Drink
Take advantage from being in Münster by drinking an Altbier at Brauerei und Altbierküche Pinkus Müller. The Pinkus Müller restaurant and bar has its own brewery producing some really tasty beers. Münster has a large student population so there are a range of bars such as Cafe Extrablatt and Markt Cafe (on the market square by the Cathedral).
The Jüdefelder Strasse (located north west of the city centre) gathers many bars and pubs such as Gorilla, Die Rote Liebe, Davidswache, Destille and more. Alternatively, you can find a huge amount of bars in the "Hafen" area (south east of the city centre, behind the main train station). Prices are usually reasonable (starting at around €2 for a beer and €4/5 for a cocktail).
- Markt Cafe, a modern bar and café opposite the cathedral
- Stuhlmacher, a traditional Pub next to the Rathaus (town hall) on Prinzipalmarkt
- Café Garbo, Warendorfer Strasse 45-47 (east of the center), ☎ 0251-30300, [4]. 10:00 a.m. -1:30 a.m. A cafe-pub which offers good, fresh food, mostly vegetarian or vegan. A lot of fair trade and ecological products as coffee, tea, jucies, vegetables. Sandwiches for breakfast, great house-made cake, dutch and english menue (German menue also for blind people available!) free-wlan, changing table, a lot of newspapers, nice, warm and cosy atmosphere, also meeting point for LGBT. Since it's also a cinema you can always view a movie before or after dinner. Most movies are in German, but some are in their original languages with German subtitles. Mains €4-€9. edit
[edit][add listing] Sleep
For conveniently located hotels near the Hauptbahnhof (Main Station), the Ibis Hotel is a good option about 5 minutes walk from the main station. Directly opposite the station is the Hotel Conti. Another hotel opposite the station that is a really nice choice, with modern rooms, is the Hotel Kaiserhof. From the outside, it looks like just a modern office block type building. But inside. it is really nicely decorated it the style of a traditional older hotel. There is also a free sauna for guests.
[edit] Get out
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