View source for Münster

{{Short description|City in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany}}
{{about|the German city|other uses|Münster (disambiguation)|and|Munster (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Infobox German place
|name               = Münster
|German_name        = <small>{{native name|wep|Mönster}}</small>
|type               = City
|image_skyline      = {{multiple image
  | total_width            = 280
  | border                 = infobox
  | perrow                 = 1/2/1
  | caption_align          = center
  | image1                 = Muenster Innenstadt.jpg{{!}}Aerial view of Münster
  | caption1               = Aerial view of Münster
  | image2                 = Lambertibeinacht.jpg
  | caption2               = [[St. Lambert's Church, Münster|St Lambert's Church]]
  | image3                 =
  | caption3               = [[Historical City Hall of Münster|Historical City Hall]]
  | image4                 = MuensterPrinzipalmarkt09.JPG
  | caption4               = [[Prinzipalmarkt]]
  }}
|image_flag         = Flagge der kreisfreien Stadt Münster (Westfalen).svg
|image_coa          = DEU Münster COA.svg
|coordinates        = {{coord|51|57|45|N|07|37|32|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
|state              = North Rhine-Westphalia
|region             = [[Münster (region)|Münster]]
|district           = urban
|elevation          = 60
|area               = 302.89
|postal_code        = 48143–48167
|area_code          = 0251<br/><small>&nbsp;02501&nbsp;(Hiltrup,&nbsp;Amelsbüren)<br/>&nbsp;02506&nbsp;(Wolbeck,&nbsp;Angelmodde)<br/>&nbsp;02533&nbsp;([[Nienberge]])<br/>&nbsp;02534&nbsp;(Roxel)<br/>&nbsp;02536&nbsp;(Albachten)</small>
|licence            = MS
|Gemeindeschlüssel  = 05 5 15 000
|divisions          = 6
|website            = [https://www.muenster.de/en/ www.muenster.de]
|mayor              = Tilman Fuchs<ref>[https://www.stadt-muenster.de/aktuelles/newsdetail/stichwahl-2025 Stadt Münster: Tilman Fuchs wird neuer Oberbürgermeister von Münster], September 2025</ref>
|leader_term        = 2025&ndash;30
|Bürgermeistertitel = Oberbürgermeister
|party              = Grüne
|ruling_party1      = Grüne
|ruling_party2      = SPD
|ruling_party3      = Volt
|year               = 793
}}

'''Münster''' ({{IPA|de|ˈmʏnstɐ|lang|De-Münster.ogg}}; {{langx|wep|Mönster}}) is an [[independent city#Germany|independent city]] (''Kreisfreie Stadt'') in [[North Rhine-Westphalia]], Germany. It is in the northern part of the state and the historic capital of the [[Westphalia]] region, as well being the centre of a [[Münster (region)|state district]]. During the [[Protestant Reformation]], Münster was the location of the [[Münster Rebellion|Anabaptist rebellion]]. Münster and [[Osnabrück]] were the sites of the signing of the [[Peace of Westphalia|Treaties of Westphalia]] which ended the [[Thirty Years' War]] in 1648. Today, it is known as the bicycle capital of Germany.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Münster bicycle capital |url=https://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?204445/Munster-bicycle-capital |access-date=2024-02-21 |website=wwf.panda.org |language=en}}</ref>

Münster gained the status of a ''Großstadt'' (major city) with more than 100,000 inhabitants in 1915.<ref name="Münster1900-1945">{{cite web |title=1900 to 1945 |url=http://www.muenster.de/stadt/tourismus/en/history_1900-1945.html |publisher=Stadt Münster |access-date=20 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927112557/http://www.muenster.de/stadt/tourismus/en/history_1900-1945.html |archive-date=27 September 2011}}</ref> {{As of|2014}}, there are 300,000<ref name=Pop2014>{{cite web |url=http://www.wn.de/Muenster/1784457-Lewe-Ein-historischer-Tag-Jetzt-hat-Muenster-300-000-Einwohner |title=Jetzt hat Münster 300 000 Einwohner |language=de |trans-title=Now Münster has 300 000 inhabitants |author=Martin Kalitschke |work=Westfälische Nachrichten |date=11 October 2014 |access-date=22 March 2017}}</ref> people living in the city, with about 61,500 students,<ref name=Stud2017>{{cite web |url=http://www.wn.de/Muenster/2017/01/2673851-Ohne-Hochschulen-geht-es-bergab-Studenten-machen-Muenster-gross |title=Ohne Hochschulen geht es bergab – Studenten machen Münster groß |language=de |trans-title=Without universities it's going downhill – University students make Münster large |author=Klaus Baumeister |work=Westfälische Nachrichten |date=24 January 2017 |access-date=15 September 2018}}</ref> only some of whom are recorded in the official population statistics as having their [[primary residence]] in Münster. Münster is a part of the international [[EUREGIO|Euregio]] region with more than 1,000,000 inhabitants ([[Enschede]], [[Hengelo]], [[Gronau, North Rhine-Westphalia|Gronau]], [[Osnabrück]]).

==History==
{{Main|History of Münster}}
{{For timeline|Timeline of Münster}}

===Early history===
In 793, [[Charlemagne]] sent out [[Ludger]] as a missionary to evangelise the [[Münster (region)|Münsterland]].<ref name="Münster793-1800">{{cite web |url=http://www.muenster.de/stadt/tourismus/en/history_till1800.html |title=793 to 1800 |publisher=Stadt Münster |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927112518/http://www.muenster.de/stadt/tourismus/en/history_till1800.html |archive-date=27 September 2011 |access-date=20 April 2011}}</ref> In 797, Ludger founded a school that later became the Cathedral School.<ref name="Münster793-1800"/> [[Gymnasium Paulinum]] traces its history back to this school.<ref name="Münster793-1800"/> Ludger was ordained as the first [[bishop of Münster]].<ref name="Münster793-1800"/> The first cathedral was completed by 850.<ref name="Münster793-1800"/> The combination of [[Ford (crossing)|ford]] and crossroad, market place, episcopal administrative centre, library and school, established Münster as an important centre.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kirchensite.de/index.php?myELEMENT=78003 |title=Vita des heiligen Liudgers |language=de |trans-title=Resume of the holy Liudgers |website=Kirchensite.de |access-date=18 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090110235446/http://kirchensite.de/index.php?myELEMENT=78003 |archive-date=10 January 2009 }}</ref> In 1040, [[Henry III, Holy Roman Emperor|Heinrich III]] became the first Holy Roman Emperor to visit Münster.<ref name="Münster793-1800"/>

===Middle Ages and early modern period===
In the [[Middle Ages]], the [[Prince-Bishopric of Münster]] was a leading member of the [[Hanseatic League]].<ref name="Münster793-1800"/>

{{wide image|Muenster Braun-Hogenberg.jpg|1000px|View from the south-west of Münster in 1570 as seen by [[Remigius Hogenberg]]. On the left is the [[Überwasserkirche]], in the centre is [[Münster Cathedral|St. Paul's Cathedral]] and to its right [[Saint Lambert's Church, Münster|St. Lamberti]], and on the far right is the Ludgerikirche.}}

In 1534, an apocalyptic [[Anabaptism|Anabaptist]] sect, 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. They went so far as to require all citizens to be naked as preparation for the Second Coming. However, the town was recaptured in 1535; the Anabaptists were tortured to death and their corpses were exhibited in metal baskets, which can still be seen hanging from the tower of [[St. Lambert's Church, Münster|St. Lambert's Church]].<ref name="Münster793-1800"/>

Part of the signing of the [[Peace of Westphalia]] of 1648 was held in Münster.<ref name="Münsterhistory">{{cite web |title=A foray into town history |url=http://www.muenster.de/stadt/tourismus/en/history.html |publisher=Stadt Münster |access-date=20 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927112504/http://www.muenster.de/stadt/tourismus/en/history.html |archive-date=27 September 2011}}</ref> This ended the [[Thirty Years' War]] and the [[Eighty Years' War]].<ref name="Münsterhistory"/> It also guaranteed the future of the prince-bishop and the diocese; the area was to be exclusively [[Roman Catholic]].

===Eighteenth, nineteenth and early twentieth centuries===
[[File:Muenster1.jpg|thumb|Photo of the Prinzipalmarkt in 1900]]

The last outstanding palace of the German baroque period, the [[Schloss Münster]], was created according to plans by [[Johann Conrad Schlaun]].<ref name="Münster793-1800"/> The [[University of Münster]] (called "Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster", WWU, between 1907 and 2023) was established in 1780. It is 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.{{citation needed|date=March 2018}}

In 1802 Münster was conquered by [[Prussia]] during the [[Napoleonic Wars]]. It was also part of the [[Grand Duchy of Berg]] between 1806 and 1811 and the [[Lippe (department)|Lippe]] department of the [[First French Empire]] between 1811 and 1813, before returning to Prussian rule. It became the capital of the Prussian [[province of Westphalia]]. In 1899 the city's harbour started operations when the city was linked to the [[Dortmund-Ems Canal]].

===World War II===
[[File:MuensterPrinzipalmarkt1945.jpg|thumb|upright|Photo of part of the Prinzipalmarkt area around St. Lambert's church in 1945]]
In the 1940s the Bishop of Münster, Cardinal [[Clemens August Graf von Galen]], was 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"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.30giorni.it/us/articolo.asp?id=4292 |title=The Lion of Münster and Pius XII |website=30Days |access-date=20 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019185006/http://www.30giorni.it/us/articolo.asp?id=4292 |archive-date=19 October 2007 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>), Münster was heavily garrisoned during World War II, and five large complexes of barracks are still a 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 Corps (Germany)|VI]] and [[XXIII Corps (Germany)|XXIII Infantry Corps]] (Armeekorps), as well as the XXXIII and LVI [[Panzerkorps]]. Münster was also the home of the [[1st Light Division (Germany)|6th]], [[16th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)|16th]] and [[25th Panzer Division (Wehrmacht)|25th Panzer Division]]; the [[16th Panzergrenadier Division (Germany)|16th]] [[Panzergrenadier]] Division; and the [[6th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)|6th]], [[26th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)|26th]], [[69th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)|69th]], [[86th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)|86th]], [[106th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)|106th]], [[126th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)|126th]], [[196th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)|196th]], [[199th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)|199th]], [[211th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)|211th]], [[227th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)|227th]], [[253rd Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)|253rd]], [[254th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)|254th]], [[264th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)|264th]], [[306th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)|306th]], [[326th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)|326th]], [[329th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)|329th]], [[336th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)|336th]], [[371st Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)|371st]], [[385th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)|385th]], and [[716th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)|716th]] Infantry Divisions (Infanterie-division).

Münster was the location of the Oflag VI-D [[German prisoner-of-war camps in World War II|prisoner-of-war camp]] mostly for [[French prisoners of war in World War II|French]], but also some Polish and Soviet officers,<ref>{{cite book|last1=Megargee|first1=Geoffrey P.|last2=Overmans|first2=Rüdiger|last3=Vogt|first3=Wolfgang|year=2022|title=The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Encyclopedia of Camps and Ghettos 1933–1945. Volume IV|publisher=Indiana University Press, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum|page=248|isbn=978-0-253-06089-1}}</ref> and a Nazi prison with several [[Forced labour under German rule during World War II|forced labour]] subcamps in the city and other localities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bundesarchiv.de/zwangsarbeit/haftstaetten/index.php?action=2.2&tab=7&id=100000091|title=Zuchthaus Münster
|website=Bundesarchiv.de|access-date=6 August 2024|language=de}}</ref>

The city was hit in one of the first “City Busting” missions of the U.S. [[8th Air Force]] on October 10, 1943. Much of the city center and the railway yard was heavily damaged in the raid, but heavy casualties were inflicted against the American heavy bombers, with the [[100th Bomb Group]] losing 13 of the 14 B-17s that took part in the raid.

{{anchor|Allied air attacks}}A secondary target of the [[Oil Campaign of World War II]], Münster was bombed on 25 October 1944 by 34 diverted [[B-24 Liberator]] bombers, during a mission to a nearby primary target, the [[Scholven Power Station|Scholven]]/[[Buer, Germany|Buer]] synthetic oil plant at Gelsenkirchen. About 63 per cent of the city including 91 per cent of the Old City was destroyed by Allied air raids.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Munster Raid: Before and After |isbn=978-0917678493 |author=Ian L. Hawkins |year=1999|publisher=FNP Military Division }}</ref> The US [[17th Airborne Division (United States)|17th Airborne Division]], fighting as infantry, attacked Münster with the British [[6th Guards Tank Brigade (United Kingdom)|6th Guards Tank Brigade]] on 2 April 1945 and fought its way into the city centre, which was captured in house-to-house fighting on the following day.<ref>{{cite book |last=Stanton |first=Shelby |title=World War II Order of Battle: An Encyclopedic Reference to U.S. Army Ground Forces from Battalion through Division, 1939–1946 |publisher=Stackpole Books |year=2006 |page=97}}</ref>

===Postwar period===
From 1946 to 1998, there was a Latvian secondary school in Münster,<ref>{{cite web | last =Ebdene | first =Aija | title =Greetings to all users of the Guide worldwide from the Latvian Community in Germany (LKV) | work =A Guide for Latvians Abroad | publisher =LKV | date =9 February 2005 | url =http://www.tm.gov.lv/lv/noderigi/sabiedribas_integracija/celvedis_eng_indd.pdf | access-date =8 November 2010 | url-status =dead | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110722161942/http://www.tm.gov.lv/lv/noderigi/sabiedribas_integracija/celvedis_eng_indd.pdf | archive-date =22 July 2011 }}</ref> and in 1947, one of the largest of about 93 Latvian libraries in the West was established in Münster.<ref>{{cite journal | last =Smith | first =Inese |author2=Štrāle, Aina | title =Witnessing and Preserving Latvian Culture in Exile: Latvian Libraries in the West | journal =Library History | publisher =Maney Publishing | date =July 2006 | volume =22 | issue =2 | pages =123–135 | doi =10.1179/174581606x117689 | url =http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/maney/lbh/2006/00000022/00000002/art00004?crawler=true | access-date =8 November 2010 }}</ref> 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 2004, Münster won an honourable distinction: the LivCom-Award for the most livable city in the world with a population between 200,000 and 750,000.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.livcomawards.com/previous-winners/2004.htm |title=LivCom website, page for 2004 awards. |access-date=27 January 2010 |publisher=livcomawards.com}}</ref> 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 [[University of Münster]].<ref>{{cite web |title=With history into the future |url=http://www.muenster.de/stadt/umwelt/pdf/livcom2004.pdf |publisher=Stadt Münster |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518140904/http://www.muenster.de/stadt/umwelt/pdf/livcom2004.pdf |archive-date=18 May 2011}}</ref><ref>10-minute [[DivX]] coded film: [http://www.muenster.de/stadt/umweltamt/livcom/livcom2004_320.avi the 48mb-version] or [http://www.muenster.de/stadt/umweltamt/livcom/livcom2004.avi the 87mb-version] from the official Münster-homepage.</ref>

==Geography==
===Geographic position===
[[File:EinzugdesGesandten AdriaenPauw.jpg|thumb|[[Gerard ter Borch]]: Dutch envoy [[Adriaan Pauw]] enters Münster around 1646 for the peace negotiations resulting in the [[Peace of Westphalia]] (Stadtmuseum Münster).]]
Münster is situated on the river [[Münstersche Aa|Aa]], approximately {{convert|15|km|0|abbr=off}} south of its confluence with the [[Ems (river)|Ems]] in the so-called [[Westphalian Lowland|Westphalian Bight]], a landscape studded with dispersed settlements and farms – the "Münsterland". The [[Wolstonian Stage|Wolstonian]] [[Sedimentary rock|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&nbsp;metres [[Above mean sea level|above sea level]]. The lowest elevation is at the Ems, 44&nbsp;m [[Above mean sea level|above sea level]]. The city centre is 60&nbsp;m above sea level, measured at the [[Prinzipalmarkt]] in front of the historic city hall.

The Dutch city of [[Enschede]] lies about {{convert|65|km|0|abbr=on}} northwest of Münster. Other major cities nearby include [[Osnabrück]], about {{convert|44|km|0|abbr=on}} to the north, [[Dortmund]], about {{convert|61|km|0|abbr=on}} to the south, and [[Bielefeld]], about {{convert|62|km|0|abbr=on}} to the east.

Münster is one of the 42 [[Urban agglomeration|agglomeration areas]] and one of Germany's biggest cities in terms of area. But it includes substantial sparsely populated rural districts which were formerly separate local government authorities until they were [[Amalgamation (politics)|amalgamated]] in 1975. Thus nearly half the city's area is agricultural, resulting in a low population-density of approximately 900 inhabitants per km<sup>2</sup>.
[[File:ModellMünster.jpg|thumb|Bronze model of Münster's city centre]]
[[File:A picture of the Aasee.jpg|thumb|Münster's Lake Aa]]

===Population density===
The city's built-up area is quite extensive. There are no skyscrapers and few high-rise buildings but very many detached houses and mansions. Still the population density reaches about 15,000 inhabitants per km<sup>2</sup> in the city centre.<ref>{{cite web |author=Amt für Stadtentwicklung, Stadtplanung, Verkehrsplanung |url=http://www.muenster.de/stadt/stadtplanung/pdf/Darstellung_Stadtbezirke_Stadtteile_Stadtzellen_mit_Bevoelkerungsdichte_2005.pdf |title=Map of population density in the statistical areas |publisher=Stadt Münster}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, page 2</ref> Calculating the population density based on the actual populated area results in approximately 2890 inhabitants per km<sup>2</sup>.<ref>[http://www.statlas.nrw.de Regional statistics for NRW] of Landesamt für Datenverarbeitung und Statistik Nordrhein-Westfalen</ref>{{verify source|date=March 2018}}

Münster's urban area of {{convert|302.91|km2|2|abbr=out}} is distributed into {{convert|57.54|km2|2|abbr=out}} covered with buildings while {{convert|0.99|km2|2|abbr=on}} are used for maintenance and {{convert|25.73|km2|2|abbr=on}} for traffic areas, {{convert|156.61|km2|2|abbr=on}} for agriculture and recreation, {{convert|8.91|km2|2|abbr=on}} are covered by water, {{convert|56.69|km2|2|abbr=on}} is forested and {{convert|6.23|km2|2|abbr=on}} is used otherwise.<ref name=Stat2006>{{cite web |url=http://www.muenster.de/stadt/stadtplanung/pdf/Jahres-Statistik-2006.pdf |title=Jahres-Statistik 2006 Stadt Münster |language=de |trans-title=Yearly statistics 2006 City of Münster |publisher=City of Münster |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409040102/http://www.muenster.de/stadt/stadtplanung/pdf/Jahres-Statistik-2006.pdf |archive-date=9 April 2008}}</ref>{{rp|18}} The perimeter has a length of {{convert|107|km|0|abbr=off}}, the largest extend of the urban area in north–south direction is {{convert|24.4|km|1|abbr=on}}, in east–west direction {{convert|20.6|km|1|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.muenster.de/stadt/tourismus/a-bis-z.html |title=Von Aasee bis Zwinger – ein kleines Glossar |publisher=Stadt Münster |language=de |trans-title=From Aasee to Zwinger – a small glossary |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080504141921/http://www.muenster.de/stadt/tourismus/a-bis-z.html |archive-date=4 May 2008}}</ref>

===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 {{convert|758|mm|1|abbr=in}} per year is close to the average rainfall in Germany.<ref name=weatherDE/> The perception of Münster as a rain-laden city isn't caused by the absolute amount of rainfall but by the above-average number of rainy days with relatively small amounts of rainfall. The average temperature is {{convert|9.4|C|F|1}} with approximately 1500 sun hours per year.<ref name=weatherDE>{{cite web |url=http://kli.uni-muenster.de/de/weather/climate/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060506093750/http://kli.uni-muenster.de/de/weather/climate/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 May 2006 |title=Klima in Münster |date=21 February 2006 |access-date=27 January 2010 |website=kli }}</ref> Consequently, Münster is in the bottom fifth in comparison with other German cities. The winter in Münster is fairly mild and [[snowfall]] is unusual. The temperature during summertime meets the average in Germany. The highest daily rainfall was registered on 28 July 2014: One weather station of the MeteoGroup reported a rainfall of {{convert|122.2|L/m2|abbr=on}}; the State Environment Agency registered at one of its stations {{convert|292|L/m2|abbr=on}} during seven hours.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unwetterzentrale.de/uwz/958.html |title=Unwetterlage Deutschland Ende Juli 2014 – Extremregen in Münster |publisher=Unwetterzentral |access-date=22 March 2017}}</ref> The record rainfall led to severe flooding throughout the city and the nearby [[Greven]].

{{Weather box	
| location = Münster ([[Münster Osnabrück Airport]]) (1991–2020 normals)	
| metric first = Y	
| single line = Y	
|Jan high C = 	5.2
|Feb high C = 	6.2
|Mar high C = 	10.1
|Apr high C = 	15.0
|May high C = 	18.9
|Jun high C = 	21.8
|Jul high C = 	24.2
|Aug high C = 	23.7
|Sep high C = 	19.5
|Oct high C = 	14.5
|Nov high C = 	9.1
|Dec high C = 	5.8
| year high C =	14.5
|Jan mean C = 	2.7
|Feb mean C = 	3.1
|Mar mean C = 	5.9
|Apr mean C = 	9.9
|May mean C = 	13.7
|Jun mean C = 	16.6
|Jul mean C = 	18.7
|Aug mean C = 	18.3
|Sep mean C = 	14.5
|Oct mean C = 	10.4
|Nov mean C = 	6.3
|Dec mean C = 	3.5
|year mean C = 	10.3
|Jan low C = 	0.0
|Feb low C = 	0.0
|Mar low C = 	1.9
|Apr low C = 	4.6
|May low C = 	8.2
|Jun low C = 	11.2
|Jul low C = 	13.4
|Aug low C = 	13.0
|Sep low C = 	9.9
|Oct low C = 	6.6
|Nov low C = 	3.3
|Dec low C = 	0.9
| year low C =	6.1
| precipitation colour = green	
|Jan precipitation mm = 	64.5
|Feb precipitation mm = 	49.2
|Mar precipitation mm = 	49.6
|Apr precipitation mm = 	40.5
|May precipitation mm = 	54.8
|Jun precipitation mm = 	63.4
|Jul precipitation mm = 	73.9
|Aug precipitation mm = 	78.5
|Sep precipitation mm = 	68.7
|Oct precipitation mm = 	63.1
|Nov precipitation mm = 	61.5
|Dec precipitation mm = 	67.8
| year precipitation mm =	735.7
| unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm	
|Jan precipitation days = 	17.6
|Feb precipitation days = 	15.8
|Mar precipitation days = 	15.4
|Apr precipitation days = 	13.5
|May precipitation days = 	13.7
|Jun precipitation days = 	14.9
|Jul precipitation days = 	15.2
|Aug precipitation days = 	15.2
|Sep precipitation days = 	14.3
|Oct precipitation days = 	15.6
|Nov precipitation days = 	17.8
|Dec precipitation days = 	19.1
|year precipitation days = 	188.1
|Jan sun = 	51.6
|Feb sun = 	73.3
|Mar sun = 	124.2
|Apr sun = 	178.4
|May sun = 	206.7
|Jun sun = 	203.2
|Jul sun = 	212.3
|Aug sun = 	193.3
|Sep sun = 	148.2
|Oct sun = 	108.8
|Nov sun = 	57.1
|Dec sun = 	44.2
|year sun = 	1597.6
|Jan humidity = 	85.5
|Feb humidity = 	82.2
|Mar humidity = 	76.9
|Apr humidity = 	69.8
|May humidity = 	69.3
|Jun humidity = 	71.1
|Jul humidity = 	71.0
|Aug humidity = 	73.2
|Sep humidity = 	79.6
|Oct humidity = 	83.8
|Nov humidity = 	87.1
|Dec humidity = 	87.3
|unit snow days = 1.0 cm
|Jan snow days = 	4.6
|Feb snow days = 	3.6
|Mar snow days = 	1
|Apr snow days = 	0
|May snow days = 	0
|Jun snow days = 	0
|Jul snow days = 	0
|Aug snow days = 	0
|Sep snow days = 	0
|Oct snow days = 	0
|Nov snow days = 	0.5
|Dec snow days = 	3.3
|year snow days = 	
| source 1 = [[World Meteorological Organization]]<ref name=WMO>{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231012163333/https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Germany/CSV/MuensterOsnabrueck_10315.csv
| archive-date = 12 October 2023
| url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Germany/CSV/MuensterOsnabrueck_10315.csv
| title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991–2020
| work = World Meteorological Organization Climatological Standard Normals (1991–2020)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = 12 October 2023}}</ref>
}}

===Adjacent cities and districts===
Münster borders on the following cities and municipalities, named clockwise and beginning in the northwest: [[Altenberge]] and [[Greven]] ([[Steinfurt (district)|District of Steinfurt]]), [[Telgte]], [[Everswinkel]], [[Sendenhorst]] and [[Drensteinfurt]] ([[Warendorf (district)|District of Warendorf]]), as well as [[Ascheberg]], [[Senden]] and [[Havixbeck]] ([[Coesfeld (district)|District of Coesfeld]]).

===City boroughs===
[[File:Muenster (Westfalen) Stadtbezirke.png|thumb|Münster administrative districts. The darker parts represent the built-up areas of the city.]]

The city is divided into six administrative districts or [[Stadtbezirk]]e: "Mitte" (Middle), "Nord" (North), "Ost" (East), "West", "Süd-Ost" (South-East) and "Hiltrup". Each district is represented by a council of 19 representatives elected in local elections. Heading each council is the district mayor, or ''Bezirksvorsteher''. 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. These are the official names, which partly differ from the usage in common speech.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hauptsatzung der Stadt Münster vom 21.12.1995 |language=de |url=http://www5.stadt-muenster.de/ortsrecht/dokumente/10_01.pdf |trans-title=Main constitution of the city of Münster on 21 December 1995 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409035848/http://www5.stadt-muenster.de/ortsrecht/dokumente/10_01.pdf |archive-date=9 April 2008}}</ref>

[[File:Muenster's parking building for bicycles.jpg|thumb|[[Bicycle parking station]], located at the Hauptbahnhof]]
[[File:Market Square Münster.jpg|thumb|Market Square Münster, Centre]]
[[File:Pablo Picasso Museum Münster.jpg|thumb|Pablo Picasso Museum Münster, popular for sightseeing tours]]

*'''[[Münster-Mitte|Mitte]]''':
**Kernbereich (Centre)
*'''[[Münster-Nord|Nord]]''':
**Münster-Coerde|Coerde
**[[Münster-Kinderhaus|Kinderhaus]]
**[[Münster-Sprakel|Sprakel]] with Sandrup
*'''[[Münster-Ost|Ost]]''':
**[[Münster-Dyckburg|Dyckburg]], consisting of Mariendorf and Sudmühle
**[[Münster-Gelmer|Gelmer]] with Gittrup
**[[Handorf (Münster)|Handorf]] with Kasewinkel, Kreuzbach, Laer, Dorbaum and Verth on the left bank of the [[Ems (river)|Ems]] and [[Werse]]
**Mauritz-Ost and Mondstraße, combined better known as [[Münster-St. Mauritz|St. Mauritz]]
*'''[[Münster-West|West]]''':
**[[Münster-Albachten|Albachten]]
**[[Münster-Gievenbeck|Gievenbeck]]
**[[Münster-Mecklenbeck|Mecklenbeck]]
**[[Nienberge]] with [[Münster-Häger|Häger]], Schönebeck and [[Münster-Uhlenbrock|Uhlenbrock]]
**[[Münster-Roxel|Roxel]] with Altenroxel and Oberort
**[[Münster-Sentrup|Sentruper Höhe]]
*'''[[Münster-Süd-Ost|Süd-Ost]]''':
**[[Münster-Angelmodde|Angelmodde]] with Hofkamp
**[[Gremmendorf]] with [[Loddenheide]]
**[[Münster-Wolbeck|Wolbeck]]
*'''[[Münster-Hiltrup|Hiltrup]]''':
**[[Münster-Amelsbüren|Amelsbüren]] with Sudhoff, Loevelingloh and Wilbrenning
**[[Münster-Berg Fidel|Berg Fidel]]
**[[Münster-Hiltrup|Hiltrup]]

The centre can be subdivided into historically evolved city districts whose borders are not always strictly defined, such as
*Aaseestadt
*Erphoviertel
*Geistviertel
*Hansaviertel
*Herz-Jesu-Viertel
*Kreuzviertel
*Kuhviertel
*Mauritzviertel
*Neutor
*Pluggendorf
*Rumphorst
*Schlossviertel
*Südviertel
*Uppenberg
*Zentrum Nord

==Demographics==
[[File:Signal-Iduna-Building Münster (crop).jpg|thumb|upright|Signal-Iduna-Building, Servatiiplatz]]
[[File:Einwohnerentwicklung von Münster.svg|thumb|Population development since 1816]]

{{Historical populations|1816|17316|1831|21893|1851|25222|1871|24821|1900|63754|1910|90254|1919|100452|1925|106418|1933|122210|1939|141059|1950|118889|1956|155241|1961|182721|1966|200376|1971|198470|1976|266083|1981|271810|1986|246186|1990|259438|2001|267197|2011|289576|2022|303772|footnote=Population size may be affected by changes in administrative divisions.
Source:<ref>[[:de:Einwohnerentwicklung Münsters|Link]]</ref>{{Circular reference|date=August 2019}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Germany: States and Major Cities|url=https://citypopulation.de/en/germany/cities/}}</ref>}}

Münster has a population of about 320,000 people. It is the 10th largest city in [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] and the 20th largest city in Germany. It is also the seventh largest German city by area at {{convert|303.28|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, and serves as the center of the [[Münster (region)|Münster region]] (known as Münsterland in German). Considered one of the oldest German cities, Münster has been a major city since approximately 1000 AD. It first reached 100,000 inhabitants in 1948, and the population has continued to grow since the 1980s due to the popularity of the local university. Münster is also known for its bicycles, and some estimates suggest it has more bicycles than people. The city reached a population of 300,000 in 2014.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}

Number of largest foreign groups in Münster by nationality:<ref>{{cite web |title=Jahres-Statistik 2016 – Bevölkerung |url=https://www.stadt-muenster.de/fileadmin//user_upload/stadt-muenster/61_stadtentwicklung/pdf/jahr/Jahres-Statistik_2016_Bevoelkerung.pdf |access-date=24 June 2018}}</ref>
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! style="background:#efefef;"|Rank
! style="background:#efefef;"|Nationality
! style="background:#efefef;"|Population (31 December 2022)
|-
|1||{{flag|Ukraine}}|| 3,478
|-
|2||{{flag|Poland}}|| 2,365
|-
|3||{{flag|Serbia}}|| 1,885
|-
|4||{{flag|Turkey}}|| 1,735
|-
|5||{{flag|Portugal}}|| 1,636
|-
|6||{{flag|Italy}}|| 1,343
|-
|7||{{flag|Croatia}}|| 1,105
|-
|8||{{flag|Russia}}|| 987
|-
|9||{{flag|Spain}}|| 865
|-
|10||{{flag|United Kingdom}}|| 738
|-
|}

==Politics==
[[File:Well at the Lambertiplatz Münster 2013.JPG|thumb|Lamberti square]]

===Mayor===
[[File:2020 Münster mayoral election (2nd round).svg|thumb|300px|Results of the second round of the 2020 mayoral election]]
The current mayor of Münster is Markus Lewe of the [[Christian Democratic Union of Germany|Christian Democratic Union]] (CDU), who was elected in 2009 and re-elected in 2015 and 2020. The most recent mayoral election was held on 13 September 2020, with a runoff held on 27 September, and the results were as follows:

{{election table}}
! rowspan=2 colspan=2| Candidate
! rowspan=2| Party
! colspan=2| First round
! colspan=2| Second round
|-
! Votes
! %
! Votes
! %
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Christian Democratic Union of Germany}}|
| align=left| Markus Lewe
| align=left| [[Christian Democratic Union of Germany|Christian Democratic Union]]
| 68,817
| 44.6
| 69,705
| 52.6
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Alliance 90/The Greens}}|
| align=left| Peter Todeskino
| align=left| [[Alliance 90/The Greens]]
| 43,978
| 28.5
| 62,824
| 47.4
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Social Democratic Party of Germany}}|
| align=left| Michael Jung
| align=left| [[Social Democratic Party of Germany|Social Democratic Party]]
| 25,170
| 16.3
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|The Left (Germany)}}|
| align=left| Ulrich Thoden
| align=left| [[The Left (Germany)|The Left]]
| 5,200
| 3.4
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Free Democratic Party (Germany)}}|
| align=left| Jörg Berens
| align=left| [[Free Democratic Party (Germany)|Free Democratic Party]]
| 4,685
| 3.0
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Die PARTEI}}|
| align=left| Roland Scholle
| align=left| [[Die PARTEI]]
| 2,581
| 1.7
|-
|
| align=left| Georgios Tsakalidis
| align=left| Münster List
| 1,975
| 1.3
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Ecological Democratic Party}}|
| align=left| Michael Krapp
| align=left| [[Ecological Democratic Party]]
| 1,139
| 0.7
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Pirate Party Germany}}|
| align=left| Sebastian Kroos
| align=left| [[Pirate Party Germany]]
| 918
| 0.6
|-
! colspan=3| Valid votes
! 154,463
! 99.3
! 132,529
! 99.5
|-
! colspan=3| Invalid votes
! 1,132
! 0.7
! 636
! 0.5
|-
! colspan=3| Total
! 155,595
! 100.0
! 133,165
! 100.0
|-
! colspan=3| Electorate/voter turnout
! 247,189
! 62.9
! 247,097
! 53.9
|-
| colspan=7| Source: [https://www.wahlergebnisse.nrw/kommunalwahlen/2020/aktuell/b515000kw2000.shtml State Returning Officer]
|}

===City council===
[[File:2020 Münster City Council election.svg|thumb|300px|Results of the 2020 city council election]]
The Münster city council governs the city alongside the mayor. The most recent city council election was held on 13 September 2020, and the results were as follows:

{{election table}}
! colspan=2| Party
! Votes
! %
! +/-
! Seats
! +/-
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Christian Democratic Union of Germany}}|
| align=left| [[Christian Democratic Union of Germany|Christian Democratic Union]] (CDU)
| 50,465
| 32.7
| {{decrease}} 2.5
| 22
| {{decrease}} 3
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Alliance 90/The Greens}}|
| align=left| [[Alliance 90/The Greens]] (Grüne)
| 46,696
| 30.3
| {{increase}} 10.1
| 20
| {{increase}} 6
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Social Democratic Party of Germany}}|
| align=left| [[Social Democratic Party of Germany|Social Democratic Party]] (SPD)
| 27,163
| 17.6
| {{decrease}} 9.4
| 12
| {{decrease}} 7
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|The Left (Germany)}}|
| align=left| [[The Left (Germany)|The Left]] (Die Linke)
| 7,539
| 4.9
| {{decrease}} 0.2
| 3
| {{decrease}} 1
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Free Democratic Party (Germany)}}|
| align=left| [[Free Democratic Party (Germany)|Free Democratic Party]] (FDP)
| 7,104
| 4.6
| {{decrease}} 1.3
| 3
| {{decrease}} 1
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Volt Europa}}|
| align=left| [[Volt Europa#Germany|Volt Germany]] (Volt)
| 4,032
| 2.6
| New
| 2
| New
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Alternative for Germany}}|
| align=left| [[Alternative for Germany]] (AfD)
| 3,399
| 2.2
| {{decrease}} 0.4
| 1
| {{decrease}} 1
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Die PARTEI}}|
| align=left| [[Die PARTEI]] (PARTEI)
| 3,196
| 2.1
| New
| 1
| New
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Ecological Democratic Party}}|
| align=left| [[Ecological Democratic Party]] (ÖDP)
| 1,876
| 1.2
| {{increase}} 0.1
| 1
| ±0
|-
|
| align=left| Munster List (Münsterliste)
| 1,848
| 1.2
| New
| 1
| New
|-
| colspan=7 bgcolor=lightgrey|
|-
| bgcolor={{party color|Pirate Party Germany}}|
| align=left| [[Pirate Party Germany]] (Piraten)
| 959
| 0.6
| {{decrease}} 1.5
| 0
| {{decrease}} 2
|-
|
| align=left| Modern Social Party (MSP)
| 71
| 0.0
| New
| 0
| New
|-
! colspan=2| Valid votes
! 154,348
! 99.2
!
!
!
|-
! colspan=2| Invalid votes
! 1,273
! 0.8
!
!
!
|-
! colspan=2| Total
! 155,621
! 100.0
!
! 66
! {{decrease}} 6
|-
! colspan=2| Electorate/voter turnout
! 247,189
! 63.0
! {{increase}} 3.3
!
!
|-
| colspan=7| Source: [https://www.wahlergebnisse.nrw/kommunalwahlen/2020/aktuell/a515000kw2000.shtml State Returning Officer]
|}

===Representation===
Münster forms its own [[Münster (electoral district)|Electoral district]] (No. 129) for elections on a national level. Due to [[Electoral system of Germany|Germany's mixture of a direct and a proportional electoral system]] Münster sends a directly elected member into the [[Bundestag]] as well as other politicians have the chance to qualify via their [[Electoral list|party's state-wide list]]. As for the [[2021 German federal election]] health politician [[Maria Klein-Schmeink]] ([[Alliance 90/The Greens|The Greens]]) won the districts seat in the Bundestag with 32.3% of the personal vote.<ref name="bundeswahlleiter.de">{{Cite web |title=Ergebnisse Münster – Der Bundeswahlleiter |url=https://www.bundeswahlleiter.de/bundestagswahlen/2021/ergebnisse/bund-99/land-5/wahlkreis-129.html |access-date=2022-04-12 |website=www.bundeswahlleiter.de}}</ref> Defeated candidates, former member of the [[Landtag of North Rhine-Westphalia]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=vCardvCard |date=2021-07-19 |title=Dr. Stefan Nacke |url=https://www.cdu-nrw.de/dr-stefan-nacke |access-date=2022-04-12 |website=CDU Nordrhein-Westfalen |language=de}}</ref> [[Stefan Nacke]] ([[Christian Democratic Union of Germany|CDU]]/26.2%)<ref name="bundeswahlleiter.de"/> and former [[Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection|environment minister]] [[Svenja Schulze]] ([[Social Democratic Party of Germany|SPD]]/24.1%) both became members of the [[20th Bundestag]] via their parties' lists.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gewählte in Landeslisten der Parteien in Nordrhein-Westfalen – Der Bundeswahlleiter |url=https://www.bundeswahlleiter.de/bundestagswahlen/2021/gewaehlte/bund-99/land-5.html |access-date=2022-04-12 |website=www.bundeswahlleiter.de}}</ref> Svenja Schulze entered the new [[Scholz cabinet]] regaining a position as minister, this time in the [[Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Svenja Schulze |url=https://www.bmz.de/de/ministerium/leitung/schulze-99772 |access-date=2022-04-12 |website=Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung |language=de}}</ref>

On the state level Münster was divided into two constituencies up until the [[2017 North Rhine-Westphalia state election]]. The election system of state elections mirrors that of national elections. During the legislative period of [[Laschet cabinet]] redistricting resulted in Münster now being split up into three constituencies, two of which now also include some surrounding [[Municipality|municipalities]]. The 2017 election saw both CDU candidates Stefan Nacke and Simone Wendland winning their seat via the constituency.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Landtagswahl 2017 |url=https://www.stadt-muenster.de/ms/wahlen/ergebnis/app/ltw2017.html |access-date=2022-04-12 |website=www.stadt-muenster.de}}</ref> Via party lists [[Svenja Schulze]] (SPD) and Josefine Paul (The Greens) entered the Landtag.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Landtagswahl 2017 in NRW |url=https://www.wahlergebnisse.nrw/landtagswahlen/2017/index.shtml |access-date=2022-04-12 |website=www.wahlergebnisse.nrw}}</ref> After Nacke and Schulze both changed into federal politics, Münster is left with only two representatives in the Landtag.

==Economy==
Greater Münster is home to many industries such as those of public authorities, consulting companies, insurance companies, banks, computer centres, publishing houses, advertising and design.<ref name="MünsterEconomy">{{cite web |title=Economic location |url=http://www.muenster.de/en/economic_location.php |publisher=Stadt Münster |access-date=15 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927112246/http://www.muenster.de/en/economic_location.php |archive-date=27 September 2011}}</ref> The service sector has created several thousand jobs.<ref name="MünsterEconomy"/> Retailers have approximately 1.9&nbsp;billion euro turnover.<ref name="MünsterEconomy"/> The city still has traditional merchants' townhouses as well as modern outlets.<ref name="MünsterEconomy"/>

==Entrepreneurship==
Münster's wealth was underpinned by wealthy merchant families such as the Merfelders,  Rüschkamps, and Berens.{{cn|date=June 2025}}
Berens Bank was founded in 1630 in Münster, Germany, by Hermann Berens.{{cn|date=June 2025}} Berens was a successful merchant and banker, and he founded the bank to provide financial services to other businesses and individuals in the city.
The Berens family lived in a large house on Roggenmarkt, known as the Berenshof. The Berens interests included textiles and grain.{{cn|date=June 2025}}

The job market situation in Münster is "comparatively good".<ref>{{cite web |title=Job market |url=http://www.muenster.de/en/job_market.php |publisher=Stadt Münster |access-date=20 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927112441/http://www.muenster.de/en/job_market.php |archive-date=27 September 2011}}</ref> 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]].<ref name=Stat2006/>{{rp|95}}

==Main sights==
[[File:Muenster Schloss 4256.jpg|thumb|Main administration building of [[University of Münster]]]]
[[File:Schlossgarten Münster 2013.jpg|thumb|Botanic Garden]]
[[File:Krameramtshaus Münster.jpg|thumb|Krameramtshaus]]
[[File:Germany, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Münster (1), Erbdrostenhof.JPG|thumb|[[Erbdrostenhof Palace]], birthplace of [[Mary of the Divine Heart|Blessed Mary of the Divine Heart]]]]
[[File:Münster's town museum.jpg|thumb|City Museum Münster]]
[[File:Münster, LVM, -Villa Kunterbunt- -- 2013 -- 5149-51.jpg|thumb|Headquarters [[:de:LVM Versicherung|LVM Insurance]]<br> ("Villa Kunterbunt")]]
* [[Münster Cathedral|St. Paul's Cathedral]], built in the 13th century in a mixture of late Romanesque and early Gothic styles. It was completely restored after World War II. It includes an [[astronomical clock]] of 1540, adorned with hand-painted zodiac symbols, which traces the movement of the planets, and plays a [[Glockenspiel]] tune every noon.
* The ''[[Prinzipalmarkt]]'', the main shopping street in the city centre with the Gothic [[Historical City Hall of Münster|city hall]] (14th century) in which the [[Peace of Westphalia]] treaty which put an end to the [[Thirty Years' War]] was signed in 1648. Immediately north of the ''Prinzipalmarkt'' is the [[Roggenmarkt (Münster)|''Roggenmarkt'']].
* [[St. Lambert's Church, Münster|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 Rebellion]], who promoted polygamy and renunciation of all property.
* [[Überwasserkirche]], a Gothic hall church consecrated in 1340 as church of a Stift which grew to be the University of Münster
* The [[Schloss Münster|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 Münster]], a [[botanical garden]] founded in 1803
* The [[Zwinger (Münster)|Zwinger]] fortress built in 1528. Used from the 18th to the 20th century as a prison. During World War II, the [[Gestapo]] also used the Zwinger for executions
* "Krameramtshaus" (1589), an old guild house, which housed the delegation from the Netherlands during the signing of the [[Peace of Westphalia]]
* Stadthaus (1773)
* Haus Rüschhaus (1743–49), a country estate situated in [[Nienberge]], built by Johann Conrad Schlaun for himself
* [[Erbdrostenhof]] (1749–53), a Baroque palace, also built by Schlaun, residence of [[Droste-Vischering|Droste zu Vischering]] noble family and birthplace of [[Mary of the Divine Heart|Blessed Mary of the Divine Heart]].
* Clemenskirche (1745–53), a Baroque church, also built by Schlaun
* [[Holy Cross Church, Münster|Kreuzkirche]], a Gothic-revival church
* 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's founder, is still intact.
* "Münster Arkaden" (2006), new shopping centre between Prinzipalmarkt and the Pablo Picasso Museum of Graphic Art
* "Cavete", the oldest academic pub in Münster
* [[Westphalian State Museum of Art and Cultural History]]
* University Bible museum
* Buddenturm – a former city water tower built about 1150 as a defence tower and now fitted with windows, is near the largest aggregation of pubs in the city
* City Museum ("Stadtmuseum"), exhibition of a large collection showing the political and cultural history of the city from its beginning up to present, housed in 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
* [[Westfälische Museum für Naturkunde|Westphalian Museum for Natural History]], state museum and planetarium
* [[Museum of Lacquer Art]] (founded and operated by the company [[BASF]] Coatings)
* [[Pablo Picasso Museum of Graphic Art]], the only museum devoted exclusively to the graphic works of [[Pablo Picasso]]
* [[Pinkus Müller]], the only brewery left in Münster; originally there were more than 150.
* [[Kiepenkerl Statue]] in Kiepenkerl Square

==Education==
Münster is home to many institutions of higher education, including the [[University of Münster]] and [[Fachhochschule Münster|University of Applied Sciences]]. The city also has 92 primary and secondary education schools. The city had 61,441 students in 2015/16.<ref>{{cite web |title=Münster – Data and Facts |url=https://www.stadt-muenster.de/fileadmin//user_upload/stadt-muenster/61_stadtentwicklung/pdf/zahlen/Faltblatt_Muenster_im_Spiegel_2017_en.pdf |publisher=Stadt Münster |access-date=3 May 2018 }}</ref>
There are couple of public and private vocational colleges in the city of Münster.<ref>{{cite web |title=Münster – Data and Facts |url=https://www.bezreg-muenster.de/de/schule_und_bildung/berufskolleg_eu-geschaeftsstelle/berufskollegs/muenster/index.html|access-date=15 November 2024 }}</ref>

Public vocational colleges
*Adolph-Kolping-Berufskolleg
*Anne Frank Vocational College
*Hans-Böckler-Berufskolleg
*Hansa-Berufskolleg
*Ludwig-Erhard-Berufskolleg
*Wilhelm-Emmanuel-von-Ketteler-Berufskolleg
Private vocational colleges
*Technical School for Agricultural Economics, Münster
* Cooperative Vocational College (GenoKolleg)
* Hildegardisschule, vocational college in the diocese of Münster
* Timmermeister-Berufskolleg

==Transport==
[[File:Promenade Muenster 2013.JPG|thumb|"Promenade" in the summer]]

===Air===
[[Münster Osnabrück Airport]] serves the city of Münster. The airport provides flights to European destinations mostly.

===Bicycling===
Münster claims to be the bicycle capital of Germany.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bicycling Münster |url=http://www.muenster.de/stadt/tourismus/en/city-of-bikes.html |publisher=Stadt Münster |access-date=8 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927112130/http://www.muenster.de/stadt/tourismus/en/city-of-bikes.html |archive-date=27 September 2011}}</ref> It states that in 2007, vehicle traffic (36.4%) fell below traffic by bicycle (37.6%).<ref name="BicyclesMünster">{{cite web |title=Bicycles |url=http://www.muenster.de/en/bicycles.php |publisher=Stadt Münster |access-date=8 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927112755/http://www.muenster.de/en/bicycles.php |archive-date=27 September 2011}}</ref> The city maintains an extensive network for bicycles including the popular "Promenade" which encircles Münster's city centre. While motorised vehicles are banned, there are paths for pedestrians. Additional [[bicycle paths]] link all city districts with the inner city and special traffic lights provide signals for bicyclists.<ref name="BicyclesMünster"/> Bicycle stations in Münster offer bicycle rentals.<ref name="BicyclesMünster"/>

===Train===
[[Münster Hauptbahnhof|Münster's Central Station]] is on the [[Wanne-Eickel–Hamburg railway]]. The city is connected by [[Intercity (Deutsche Bahn)|Intercity trains]] to many other major cities in Germany.

===Public transport===
Historically, Münster had a historic [[Trams in Münster|tramway system]], but it closed in 1954. Today, Münster does have some public transportation, which includes bus expresses,<ref>{{cite web |website=Stadtwerke Münster |title=How to travel by bus: some helpful tips |url=https://www.stadtwerke-muenster.de/fileadmin/stwms/busverkehr/kundencenter/dokumente/SWMS_Infofolder_Busfahren_2016.pdf |access-date=10 March 2018 |archive-date=10 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510071002/https://www.stadtwerke-muenster.de/fileadmin/stwms/busverkehr/kundencenter/dokumente/SWMS_Infofolder_Busfahren_2016.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> sightseeing buses,<ref>{{cite web |title=Stadtrundfahrten in Münster |language=de |trans-title=City tours in Münster |url=https://www.muensterbus.ms |website=Der Münster Bus |access-date=10 March 2018}}</ref> "waterbuses",<ref>{{cite web |language=de |website=Stadtwerke Münster |title=Das KombiTicket-WasserBus SOLAARIS – Ihre Vorteile auf einen Blick |url=https://www.stadtwerke-muenster.de/privatkunden/busverkehr/tickets/kombitickets/wasserbus-solaaris.html |trans-title=The KombiTicket water bus SOLAARIS – Your benefits at a glance |access-date=10 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311141300/https://www.stadtwerke-muenster.de/privatkunden/busverkehr/tickets/kombitickets/wasserbus-solaaris.html |archive-date=11 March 2018 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> [[Lime (transportation company)|Lime scooters]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Lime Locations {{!}} Bring Lime Scooters and Bikes to Your City or University |url=https://www.li.me/locations |website=www.li.me |language=en-us}}</ref> and bicycle rentals.<ref name="BicyclesMünster"/> It is the largest German city without a U-Bahn or an S-Bahn system.

==Sports==
The city is home to [[SC Preußen Münster|Preußen Münster]], which was founded on 30 April 1906. The main section is football, and the team plays at [[Preußenstadion]]. Other important sports teams include the USC Münster e.V. volleyball club.

[[Uni Baskets Münster]] is the city's professional basketball team.<ref>[https://www.muensterschezeitung.de/sport/lokalsport/wwu-baskets/basketball-muenster-neuer-name-umbenennung-universitaet-muenster-uni-baskets-2776817 „An dieser Brücke festhalten“: Neuer Name der Baskets ist bekannt] Henner Henning (muensterschezeitung.de), 19 June 2023. Accessed 10 July 2023.{{in lang|de}}</ref> Home games are at Sporthalle Berg Fidel.

==British forces==
{{see also|British Forces Germany}}
After the [[Second World War]], Münster became a major station within [[Osnabrück Garrison]], part of [[British Forces Germany]]. Their presence was gradually reduced, yet there are still many active military bases. The last forces left Münster on 4 July 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.westfalen-heute.de/mitteilung.php?31549 |title=Abzug britischer Streitkräfte: Prinz Andrew verabschiedet die letzten Soldaten aus Münster |website=Westfalen heute |language=de |trans-title=Withdrawal of British forces: Prince Andrew bids farewell to the last soldiers from Münster |date=11 June 2013 |access-date=22 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170323052347/http://www.westfalen-heute.de/mitteilung.php?31549 |archive-date=23 March 2017 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

==Twin towns – sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Germany}}
Münster is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web|title=Städtepartnerschaften|url=https://www.stadt-muenster.de/international/staedtepartnerschaften.html|website=stadt-muenster.de|publisher=Münster|language=de|access-date=2021-02-27}}{{Dead link|date=June 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
*{{flagicon|ENG}} [[York]], England, United Kingdom (1958)
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Orléans]], France (1960)
*{{flagicon|NOR}} [[Kristiansand]], Norway (1967)
*{{flagicon|TUN}} [[Monastir, Tunisia|Monastir]], Tunisia (1969)
*{{flagicon|ISR}} [[Rishon LeZion]], Israel (1981)
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Fresno, California|Fresno]], United States (1986)
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Ryazan]], Russia (1989)
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Mühlhausen]], Germany (1990)
*{{flagicon|POL}} [[Lublin]], Poland (1991)
*{{flagicon|NED}} [[Enschede]], Netherlands (2020)<ref>{{cite web |title=Städtepartnerschaft Münster – Enschede ist offiziell|url=https://www.muenster.de/pressemeldungen/web/frontend/output/ms-startseite/design/standard/page/1/show/1082503|website=stadt-muenster.de|publisher=Münster|language=de|access-date=2021-10-20}}</ref>
{{div col end}}

==Notable people==
[[File:Droste-Hülshoff 2.jpg|thumb|120px|Annette von Droste-Hülshoff, 1838]]
[[File:Maria Droste zu Vischering.jpg|thumb|120px|Maria Droste zu Vischering]]
[[File:Ketteler, Wilhelm Emanuel.jpg|thumb|120px|Wilhelm Emmanuel von Ketteler, bishop of Mainz]]
[[File:GuntherPlaut.jpg|thumb|120px|Gunther Plaut]]

* [[Johannes Veghe]] (c. 1435–1504), religious writer
* [[Henry Nicholis]] (ca.1501 – ca.1580), a German mystic, founded ''[[Familia Caritatis]]''.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Nicholas, Henry|first=Albert Frederick |last=Pollard|author-link=Albert Pollard|volume=19|page=656|short= 1}}</ref>
* [[Christoph Bernhard Verspoell]] (1743–1818), priest and publisher of an influential hymnal
* [[Clemens August Droste zu Vischering]] (1773–1845), [[Archbishop of Cologne]].<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Droste-Vischering, Clemens August, Baron von | volume= 8 | page = 591 |short= 1}}</ref>
* [[Georges Depping]] (1784–1853), German-French historian
* [[Annette von Droste-Hülshoff]] (1797–1848), noble and poet.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Droste-Hülshoff, Annette Elisabeth, Freiin von | volume= 8 | page = 591 |short= 1}}</ref>
* [[Wilhelm Emmanuel von Ketteler]] (1811–1877), theologian and politician, Bishop of [[Mainz]].<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Ketteler, Wilhelm Emmanuel, Baron von | volume= 15 |last1= Lias |first1= John James |author1-link= | page = 763 |short=1}}</ref>
* [[Paul Melchers]] (1813–1895), Cardinal and Archbishop of [[Cologne]]
* [[Joseph Weydemeyer]] (1818–1866), military officer, journalist, politician and Marxist revolutionary
* [[Ludwig von Wittich]] (1818–1884), Prussian lieutenant general
* [[Max von Forckenbeck]] (1821–1892), National Liberal politician, mayor of Wroclaw and Berlin
* [[Bernard Altum]] (1824–1900), zoologist, ornithologist and forest scientist
* [[Elisabet Ney]] (1833–1907), sculptor
* [[Alexander von Kluck]] (1846–1934), German general, World War I
* [[Albert Kopfermann]] (1846–1914), musicologist and librarian
* [[Mary of the Divine Heart|Mary of the Divine Heart Droste zu Vischering]] (1863–1899), noble and nun beatified by [[Pope Paul VI]]
* [[Carl Schuhmann]] (1869–1946), gymnast and wrestler
* [[Alfred Flechtheim]] (1878–1937), art dealer, art collector, journalist, and publisher
* [[Clemens August Graf von Galen]] (1878–1946), cardinal, Bishop of Münster, beatified by [[Pope Benedict XVI]]
* [[Friedrich-Carl Rabe von Pappenheim]] (1894–1977), general in the [[Wehrmacht]] of Nazi Germany and war criminal
* [[Kurt Gerstein]] (1905–1945), [[Schutzstaffel|SS officer]]
* [[Gunther Plaut]] (1912–2012), Reform rabbi and author
* [[Moondog]] (1916–1999), musician, composer, theoretician, poet, and inventor of musical instruments
* [[Alfred Dregger]] (1920–2002), politician and leader of the [[Christian Democratic Union (Germany)|CDU]]
* [[Peter Duesberg]] (born 1936), virologist who discovered the first retrovirus
* [[Dieter Sieger]] (born 1938), shipbuilder
* [[Heinz Lukas-Kindermann]] (born 1939), opera director
* [[Detlev Jöcker]] (born 1951), composer, singer and songwriter
* [[Götz Alsmann]] (born 1957), television presenter, musician, and singer
* [[Ludger Kühnhardt]] (born 1958) journalist and political scientist and advisor
* [[Andreas Dombret]] (born 1960), board member of German central bank [[Deutsche Bundesbank]]
* [[Monika Grütters]] (born 1962), politician
* [[Ute Lemper]] (born 1963), cabaret singer and actress
* [[Stefan Dohr]] (born 1965), French horn player, current principal horn of the [[Berlin Philharmonic]]
* [[Günther Jauch]] (born 13 July 1965) entertainer, journalist, and TV presenter
* [[Tanita Tikaram]] (born 1969), British singer-songwriter
* [[Berthold Warnecke]] (born 1971), dramaturge and opera director
* [[Franka Potente]] (born 1974), German actress
* [[Guido Maria Kretschmer]] (Born 11 May 1975), designer and TV presenter
* [[Linus Gerdemann]] (born 1982), cyclist
* [[Jens Höing]] (born 1987), racing driver
* [[Esther Dierkes]] (born 1990), opera singer

==Gallery==
<gallery>
MuensterRathausSendschwert2800.jpg|Symbolic sword, old city hall
Münster - Hauptbahnhof (2).jpg|Hauptbahnhof, Centre
Entrance to the underground bicycle station Münster oppsite the railway station.jpg|Entrance bicycle station opposite the old railway station
Muenster Promenade 6457.jpg|Promenade in autumn
Marienplatz Münster 2013.jpg|Marienplatz Münster Centre
Former Apollo cinema Münster.jpg|Old Apollo cinema, Marienplatz
Münster's municipal theatre.jpg|Münster's municipal theatre
Public library Münster.jpg|Public Library, Centre
County Museum Münster.jpg|Landesmuseum Münster
LVA Muenster.jpg|LVA (State Social Insurance Board) Münster-Nord
Messecentrum Münster.jpg|Trade Fair Centre Münster
</gallery>

==See also==
{{Portal|Germany|Europe|Geography}}
*[[Munster, Lower Saxony]]
*[[Munster Province, Republic of Ireland]]
*[[CeNTech]]
*[[Fernmeldeturm Münster|Fernmeldeturm]]
*[[Muenster, Texas|Muenster]], Texas, U.S.
*[[H-Blockx]]
*[[Minster, Ohio|Minster]], Ohio, U.S.

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
{{wikivoyage|Münster}}
*{{Official website}} {{in lang|de}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20101224063839/http://www.allwetterzoo.de/englisch/index.php English page of Münster All-Weather Zoo] {{in lang|en}}
*[http://www.zoo-infos.de/zoos-en/276.html Münster Zoo at Zoo-Infos.de] {{in lang|en}}
*[http://www.stadtpanoramen.de/en/muenster/muenster.html Muenster City Panoramas] – Panoramic Views of Münster's Highlights {{in lang|de}}
*[http://www.7grad.org 7Grad.org – Bunkers in Muenster] – History of Muenster's air raid shelters {{in lang|de}}
*[https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00nkqrv The Siege of Muenster] – audio discussion from "[[In Our Time (BBC Radio 4)|In Our Time]]" BBC
*[http://www.technologiehof-muenster.de/english/index.php Technology Park Münster (Host of technology companies in Münster)] {{in lang|en}}
*[https://www.muensterland.com/en/tourism/orte-muensterland/places-in-munsterland/munster/ Tourist-Info]  {{in lang|en}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20180226073218/http://www.xn--mnster-3ya.net/veranstaltungskalender.html Münster Events] {{in lang|de}}
*[http://webgerman.com/Notgeld/Directory/M/Muenster.htm Münster Notgeld] (emergency banknotes) depicting the [[Münster Rebellion]] with Ian Bockelson, Berndt Knipperdollink, Berntken Krechting, and Jan van Leyden. http://webgerman.com/Notgeld/Directory/M/Muenster.htm
*{{Wikisource-inline|list=
**{{Cite Americana|wstitle=Münster |short=x |noicon=x}}
**{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Münster (Westphalia)|short=x |noicon=x}}
**{{Cite EB9|wstitle=Münster|volume=17 |short=x |noicon=x}}
}}

{{Cities in Germany}}
{{Germany districts north rhine-westphalia}}
{{Hanseatic League}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Munster}}
[[Category:Münster| ]]
[[Category:Oil campaign of World War II]]
[[Category:Members of the Hanseatic League]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 8th century]]
[[Category:8th-century establishments in Europe]]
[[Category:Urban districts of North Rhine-Westphalia]]
[[Category:Münster (region)]]