Münster

Münster (German pronunciation: [ˈmʏnstɐ]; Low German: Mönster; Latin: Monasterium, from the Greek μοναστήριον monastērion, "monastery") is an independent city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is in the northern part of the state and is considered to be the cultural centre of the Westphalia region. It is also capital of the local government region Münsterland. Münster was the location of the Anabaptist rebellion during the Protestant Reformation and the site of the signing of the Treaty of Westphalia ending the Thirty Years' War in 1648. Today it is known as the bicycle capital of Germany.

Münster gained the status of a Großstadt (major city) with more than 100,000 inhabitants in 1915. Currently there are 300,000 people living in the city, with about 55,500 students, only some of whom are recorded in the official population statistics as having their primary residence in Münster.

History

Early history

In 793, Charlemagne sent out Ludger as a missionary to evangelise the Münsterland. In 797, Ludger founded a school that later became the Cathedral School.Gymnasium Paulinum traces its history back to the school. Ludger was ordained as the first bishop of Münster. The first cathedral was completed by 850. The combination of ford and crossroad, market place, episcopal administrative centre, library and school, established Münster as an important centre. In 1040, Heinrich III became the first king of Germany to visit Münster.

Münster, Bavaria

Münster is a municipality in the district of Donau-Ries in Bavaria in Germany.

Geography

Münster is located between Rain and Thierhaupten. The village is separated in a lower an a higher part, because it's built on the Lechrain.

Coat of arms

On the coat of arms of Münster in the lower part a swung line, representing the river Lech, is drawn on red and silver ground. The key and sword stand for the two patron saints of the local parish St. Peter and Paul.

References

Münster (disambiguation)

Münster or Muenster may refer to:

Places

Austria

Canada

Germany

Münster