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Situated along Principal Market (Prinzipalmarkt), the city's central marketplace and shopping district is the Historical City Hall of Munster (Historisches Rathaus M眉nster). The building gained fame as the location used for the peace negotiations in 1648 that ended the Thirty Years' War in Europe and the Eighty Years' War, also known as the Dutch Revolt. The council chamber of this historic town hall is known as the Hall of Peace (Friedenssaal).

The building is estimated to date from the 14th century. Its sandstone facade features a stunning Gothic-style design. The structure's layout splits into three levels as arcade floor, the main floor, and the gable floor. The front boasts a lovely arched colonnade. The building's eye-catching Gothic gable is highly ornate and can't be missed while roaming through Principal Market.

This town hall now operates as a museum in the historical Peace Hall. The council chamber walls where the peace treaties were signed are decorated with ornately carved wood paneling. A small figure of Jesus on the cross is mounted behind the judge's table. There are wall portraits and an elaborate chandelier in the room. Inside a glass display case is the famous 17th-century "Golden Cockerel," a gilded silver wine goblet in the shape of a rooster.

The museum includes historical weapons and suits of armor. You'll find a rather eclectic collection of artifacts on display, including a decoratively engraved fireplace and chimney replica, 16th-century bench seat cushions, a doorkeeper's staff, and a 17th-century woman's slipper. The oddest is a small oak box topped with an actual severed hand, origin unknown!

The building was seriously damaged when it was hit by bombs during World War II and soon underwent a complete restoration. A full reconstruction of its original appearance didn't begin until 1950 and took most of the decade to complete. This significant historical landmark is a must-see during your tour of Munster.

The Stadthausturm (Town Hall Tower) is the only remaining part of the former Stadthaus (Town Hall) of M眉nster that was once located at the southern end of Prinzipalmarkt (Main Market) Street. Unlike the Town Hall building itself, the tower is not a medieval structure and was created only in the early 20th century. It was designed by the German architect Alfred Hensen, featuring Neo-Renaissance style, and built between 1902 and 1907.

Prior to that, this site was occupied by a pharmacy (Lowenapotheke) and a couple of 16th-century warehouses 鈥� the Stadtlegge (for linen) and the Stadtkeller (for hop beers), which were purposely demolished to clear space for the tower construction. Back in the early days of the tower, for a while, its basement was used as a mechanical telephone exchange.

The Town Hall building was destroyed on October 28, 1944, in an allied bombing raid during World War II, but the tower miraculously survived almost unscathed.

In 2001, an automatic bell ringing system (glockenspiel) was installed in the tower, co-funded by the M眉nster Savings Bank, the M眉nster City Council, and the Nonhoff family. The bell rings three times a day 鈥� at 11 am, 3 pm, and 7 pm 鈥� playing, depending on the season, either the 鈥淜eine schoner Land鈥� tune (from June to August) or some Christmas carols, like 鈥淣ow rejoice, you Christians鈥�, from November 27th to January 6th.

Discover the Traveling Merchant (Kiepenkerl Denkmal), a life鈥憇ized bronze statue situated in the heart of Munster鈥檚 Old Town. This iconic monument commemorates the travelling peddlers known as Kiepenkerle, who once traversed the Munsterland region carrying goods in a wicker basket, or 鈥淜iepe,鈥� on their backs, trading eggs, dairy, salt, and news between farms and the city.

The sculpture you see today was unveiled on September 20, 1953, a faithful bronze recreation by sculptor Albert Mazzotti Jr., commissioned after the original figure鈥攃reated by August Schmiemann in 1896 and made of plaster with copper plating鈥攚as destroyed by a US tank at the end of World War II. The original statue had famously survived Allied bombing in 1943 but was later demolished during the city鈥檚 liberation.

The Kiepenkerl is dressed in traditional attire鈥攁 blue linen smock, red neckerchief, cap, knotted walking stick, and a whistle鈥攃apturing the character and era of these folk traders. It stands not only as a tribute to their economic role but also as a symbol of resilience, continuity, and M眉nster鈥檚 roots in rural鈥憉rban exchange and community life.

Today, visitors can pause beside the statue for photos or reflection, then stroll through the vibrant Kiepenkerlviertel neighbourhood brimming with caf茅s, shops, and historic architecture. It鈥檚 an ideal starting point on a walking tour of Munster鈥檚 old town, combining cultural immersion with local charm. Guided tours frequently include the statue and explain its layered history, offering a window into the city鈥檚 past and spirit.

Welcome to the Budden Tower (Buddenturm)鈥攁lso known as the Pulverturm, or Gunpowder Tower鈥攁n enduring symbol of Munster鈥檚 medieval heritage. Erected around 1150 as part of the city's northern fortifications, this cylindrical sandstone tower originally stood some 20 meters tall. Over the centuries, it endured dramatic transformations, including conversion into a prison in 1533 and a gunpowder storage facility from 1598.

Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, the Budden Tower was heightened, repurposed, and preserved even as the surrounding city walls were dismantled between 1764 and 1767. In 1879, Munster鈥檚 civic authorities bought the tower and converted it into a water reservoir, shelving a 500 cubic meter tank inside and topping it with a neo鈥慓othic crenellated crown. After wartime damage in WWII, it was restored to a simpler conical roof and ultimately stood at about 30 meters high鈥攊ts interior still bears features like the old measuring scale and rainwater downpipes, silent witnesses to its varied past.

Today, the Budden Tower remains one of the oldest surviving monuments in Munster, offering both visual impact and historical depth. Though not always open to the public, its elegant form makes for a rewarding photo stop. Nestled in the leafy Kreuzviertel near Munzstrasse, it is flanked by charming caf茅s, shops, and other historical landmarks in Munster鈥檚 old town.

As a visitor, appreciate how the tower embodies layers of Munster鈥檚 identity鈥攆rom medieval defense to civic infrastructure and modern heritage. Whether you're drawn by architecture, history, or a peaceful corner to admire, the Budden Tower offers a compelling glimpse into centuries of urban evolution.

The Zwinger in Munster is a somber yet historically resonant monument tucked behind the city鈥檚 medieval walls. Originally constructed in the 16th century as part of Munster鈥檚 fortifications, the structure served as a defensive stronghold and later as a prison. Though modest in size, its thick walls and commanding position reveal its strategic significance in the city鈥檚 military past. Over the centuries, it bore witness to many phases of Munster鈥檚 history, from the time of the Prince-Bishops to the upheavals of World War II.

During the Nazi regime, the Zwinger took on a darker role as a Gestapo detention center and execution site. Its interior was severely damaged by Allied bombing in 1944, and the building remained in ruins for years鈥攁 stark symbol of the city鈥檚 wartime suffering. In the post-war era, the Zwinger was preserved as a memorial, not reconstructed, reinforcing its identity as a place of reflection rather than restoration.

Since 1987, the Zwinger has housed a permanent installation by artist Rebecca Horn titled Das gegenlaufige Konzert (鈥淭he Counterpoint Concert鈥�), which combines kinetic sound sculpture with meditative space. Metal hammers rhythmically strike the walls from within, echoing like ghostly reminders of the building鈥檚 past. The piece adds a haunting, contemplative layer to the experience, powerfully merging memory and art.

Today, visitors to the Zwinger encounter not only a historic remnant of M眉nster鈥檚 defenses but also a deeply moving memorial to political persecution and violence. It invites quiet thought, far removed from the city's more bustling landmarks.

The Lotharingian Church of Our Lady (Lotharinger Chorfrauenkirche) is a former choral church of the Lotharinger Kloster (Lorraine Women's Cloister) in Munster. The history of the sanctuary began in 1642 when a group of choir women from Lorraine (German: Lothringen) province came to Munster as refugees and established a convent here to devote themselves to the support and education of young women and girls.

The first church on the site, built in 1698, was destroyed, along with the rest of the convent, by shelling during the Seven Years' War in 1759. The new complex, including the current church, was built from 1764 to 1773. The church's interior decoration was completed in 1775.

Both the convent building and the church were the last works of the renowned German architect, Johann Conrad Schlaun. His daughter was admitted to the convent as a choir lady, and his nephew, Lieutenant Colonel Johann Anton Josef von Thelen, oversaw the construction management.

Designed in Baroque style, the brick building has a square plan with rounded corners. The coat of arms over the front portal belongs to the nobleman who funded the construction.

The building acted as a place of worship until the dissolution of the convent in 1811, during the French occupation. After the territory was reclaimed by Prussia, the building was sold to the city of Munster and subsequently served a number of secular purposes, such as barracks (until 1931), an apartment block (until 1955), and the city archives (from 1978 to 2003).

While most of the convent buildings burned down during World War II and had to be demolished, the church itself survived almost intact. From 1961 to 1973, it was renovated and its facade reconstructed based on a copy of the picture from 1772.

Presently, the building houses the Marriage Registry Office.

Nestled in the heart of Munster鈥檚 Old Town, the Erbdrostenhof is a striking three鈥憌ing late Baroque palace built between 1753 and 1757 by master architect Johann Conrad Schlaun for Adolf Heidenreich Freiherr Droste zu Vischering, the Erbdrost of Munster. Its compact plot demanded extraordinary design flair鈥擲chlaun achieved a grand, curved facade in luminous Billerbeck sandstone, paired with warm red clinker鈥慴rick wings, making the palace a proud centrepiece along Salzstrasse鈥檚 鈥淏aroque Island鈥�.

The palace interior once featured lavish frescoes by Nikolaus Loder and ornate sculptural work by Johann Christoph Manskirch. Although devastated during World War II air raids, Erbdrostenhof was meticulously reconstructed from 1953 to 1970, including fresco restoration led by Paul Reckendorfer in the 1960s, reviving the palace鈥檚 historic grandeur, particularly in its stunning baroque ballroom.

Today, Erbdrostenhof remains a cultural beacon. Owned by the LWL (Landschaftsverband Westfalen鈥慙ippe), it houses offices of several cultural institutions, such as the Museum Office of Westphalia, the Historical and Literature Commissions, and the Droste Research Centre. Its baroque festival hall also hosts the celebrated annual Erbdrostenhof Concerts, featuring historic keyboard instruments, including an exquisite Ruckers harpsichord from 1640鈥攐ne of the world鈥檚 most significant preserved pieces.

Strategically located opposite Munster鈥檚 City Museum, the Erbdrostenhof is an ideal stop on walking tours of the Old Town, especially along Salzstrasse, where visitors can admire nearby landmarks like the Clemens Church (Clemenskirche) and Dominican Church (Dominikanerkirche)鈥攁lso Schlaun masterpieces. While public access is limited鈥攑rimarily to events in the banquet hall鈥攖he building鈥檚 exterior alone is worth the visit. Its grandeur, history, and central role in Munster鈥檚 architectural narrative make it a must-see for history buffs, architecture lovers, and curious travelers alike.

The Grocers鈥� Guild House (Krameramtshaus) is one of the city鈥檚 best-preserved examples of early Baroque civic architecture. Built in 1589, it originally served as the headquarters for the city鈥檚 powerful grocers鈥� guild, a vital institution in Munster鈥檚 commercial life during the late Renaissance. Despite centuries of change and the destruction of World War II, the building retains its historical character, thanks to meticulous restoration efforts.

The Grocers鈥� Guild House features a richly ornamented gabled fa莽ade, with sandstone elements that contrast sharply against the red-brick structure. Inside, visitors can admire finely carved wooden ceilings, period furnishings, and displays that recreate the atmosphere of a late 16th-century merchant guild.

The Guild House gained historical significance in 1648 during the Congress of Westphalia, which brought an end to both the Thirty Years鈥� War and the Eighty Years鈥� War. While negotiations took place across Munster, the Krameramtshaus served as lodging for Dutch envoys and was the site where the Spanish-Dutch treaty was signed on January 30, 1648, officially recognizing Dutch independence.

Today, the Krameramtshaus is part of the Cathedral Treasury complex, often included in walking tours of Munster鈥檚 historical centre. While modest in size, it provides a vivid look into the intersection of commerce, community, and craftsmanship in pre-modern Munster. Exhibits inside explore the life of guild members, their trade regulations, and their religious and civic roles.

For those interested in the social fabric of the Hanseatic towns or the evolution of urban middle-class life, the Grocers鈥� Guild House offers a glimpse into the networks that shaped Munster鈥檚 economy and identity. It is especially rewarding for those who appreciate architectural detail and local history preserved in a quiet corner of the old town.